Hi all :-)

I'm absolutely thrilled that you have all joined, and please don't worry if you have more than one, I certainly shan't leave when I finally get another...(not sure if Hubby is monitoring my messages so have to be a bit coy!! lol)

I have to admit that I do humanise Henry to a certain extent, I don't like to leave him incase he gets lonely, whereas when I had all the others I didn't work from home so they were left for a certain amount of time each day, but I didn't worry too much as they had each other for company.  I have Henry with me all day during work, and then he will come into the lounge with us of an evening....he does sleep in the office/family room or the hall/utility overnight...hubby has drawn a thick line when I mentioned him coming into the bedroom overnight too haha.

Thanks again..looking forward to chatting :-)

well...

my "only one" is almost always with me - free time, holidays, many parties, sometimes at work, sleeps in our bed (if he wants), etc. and I don't think it will change even when there will be two :)

Hi Sheree

thanks for starting this group. I used to think I was mad worrying about leaving Molly and all the special attention we give her. It seems situations are the same no matter where you come from. I love reading stories from others who live in Europe and other parts of the world taking their dogs into the woods or snow. We have been to Europe and last year when in Germany I came across the most beautiful IS having a run with his owner. Wish there were more dog friendly places in Australia as Molly travels really well in the car. This group has helped me at the moment so thankyou  

I might put my fire suit on too. Please correct me if I am wrong, I believe when Mike talks about humanising a dog, he is referring to anthropomorphisation. I do not believe there is anything wrong with treating a dog the same as a human in the sense of emotions and feelings because I believe all animals, including wild animals, possess sophisticated emotions and intelligence. Unfortunately the only species losing positive emotions e.g. love and empathy, is the human. I also do not agree with the pack theory. I am able to intuitively communicate with my dogs and horses and even wild birds, as we all are. Our animals can teach us all so much if we are humble enough to listen.

PS Thank you for the invite, Sheree. I forgot to mention this in my last comment.

Thanks for the invite, Sheree, but actually I own two (or three, depending on count) Irish. But may I say that there are times when it would actually be easier owing just the one! As son as you want to work or just generally train a dog it is far simpler if you are working with just one, and don't feel you are neglecting the other...

So all of you with just one, don't regret it, enjoy the one to the full! 

Since May last year I just have one Irish Setter now, and I must admit I am quite happy with just one. Having two is an idea of my husband but as far as I am concerned I prefer to have just one and having a strong relationship with her/him.

Now let's be honest, if anyone is bringing me a homeless IS or a pup, I wouldn't be able to resist.....

Hi Sheree thanks for the invite I have only one setter but we also have 2 afghans and a havanese and since this site is for lovers of irish setters technically I am able to join I guess  let me know if I am incorrect and I shall weep bitter tears at my non inclusion

cheers Peter

Thanks for inviting me Sheree.  I have always had "one" dog at a time.  With work and family I find it just is the best fit for us.  But I never think of my dog as an only dog in the sense he gets to play with dozens and dozens of other dogs for about two hours a day in our park.  He has a pack he hangs out with everyday and I am grateful for those friends and their pets because Cash learns more from them than me about dog behavior.  I know I couldn't own this wonderful breed of dog if I didn't have a place for him to run free safely everyday.  It keeps him sane and it turn our homelife is perfect.

Thanks for joining the group.

The more I think of it the more I feel that just the one suits my lifestyle now, being married with a stepson does take up a lot more of my time than I had imagined, and the rest of the time is devoted to Henry. Once we sell up and move it will be different, I'm sure :-)

Thanks for the invite!

Only have the Rubster 'irish' however she is our 2nd after having our first family dog for 14 years.

Kate and Ruby

Hi Sheree and thank you for the invitation.

After your last comment, I can join:-)) I have only one breed - Irish setters, and only one of the 5 currently is a bitch so thats ok..and, by the way, each one is THE one!

Hi, Currently Murphy is training us into Irish ways but we do hope to have a brother for him later in the year ..... Lots of fun though!

Hi,

I currently have one R/W setter named Megan. From the age of 18yrs I have always owned a setter either a Red or a Red & White. Hope I can join the group.

I am owned by one Irish ...Molly who is about 2 1/2 years old.  We have had Irish Setters since 1973...infact my first one was a wedding gift to me after I fell in love with one we saw running across a field and knowing nothing about the breed we went out that weekend and found ourselves a puppy.  I think you all can guess the rest as I am still as infatuated with them today as I was when I saw my first one running across that field.

i have owned irish for some 34 years,in that time we have had 3 beautiful girls.my present one layla is blind but handling it extremely well. i have only one regret while been the proud owner of them all and that is not having had two together.

as well as layla we have adopted my sons boxer lucy .they are not really really close but lucy watches out for layla and if she goes too far away from us lucy will go and bring her back

Hi Sheree,

               Just the one!...Romeo,so i couldn't resist!

Sincere regards,

                        James.

Hi, even though it would be lovely to have more then one setter i'm more than happy with my lovely boy Finlay (",)

I have just one Irish Setter and my dog is very happy being the one and only.

I have one Irish Setter and then I have two, back to one and then two ... on and off this group because I am for one dog at the time but my husband needs to have two ... would love to stay in this group but then it would mean something horrible happening to my second dog, would you agree to accept a honorary one?

Hi. I have just one Irish 5 years old Felix and we are always together. I dont work due to illness and he takes care of me on my worst days. I live in the countryside and go for long walks with him where he can run free at least three times a day. He is my best friend and I love him to bits. Sometimes I dream of getting a female to breed because I think an Irish Setter is the most wondeful dog and I want to share that with everybody but so far just a dream and I am very happy with just Felix and I.

Sadly I am down to one setter now.  The first 6wks or so were awful for poor Gracie but she is now back to her old self and apart from looking sad when I go to work for a few hrs she seems very happy. She gets lots of individual attention and there are no boundaries in the house, all doors are left open so that she doesn't feel excluded. I very rarely walk alone so she gets to rough and tumble and do all the pack stuff while she on her walks. I cannot even think about another dog at this moment in time but who knows what will happen in the future.  

Thanks Debbie, you came to Crufts a couple of years ago to support Inca didn't you.  We have all been so sad she was a very special dog who touched the hearts of many people.  Gracie has taken over the PAT vest and in true setter style is bringing a bit of joy to people's lives. We are so lucky to have them xx

Thank you to all those who have joined.  I have a confession to make, I now have 2 English Setters, little Elkie joined us 2 weeks ago and has turned our lives upside down :-)

Hi everyone,

after many years with three or two setters I'm now only with my little Kasia. And that will by for sure for some years so I can join this group eligibly:-)

My boy Bailey is 'just the one'. I am pleased to join your group!. Tina