To learn more about how hilarious dogs can be, we got in touch with Jenny from D for Dog, a popular pet supply shop in the UK. Jenny was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss what makes dogs such special animals.
“Dogs are amazing and loyal companions. They will be by your side for all life's important events,” Jenny says. “I would never live a life without dogs. They always give way more than they take. Dogs really are my favorite people.”
Jenny shared that 20 years ago, she adopted two dogs and started her website, D for Dog. “Me and my mutts were the first attempt at social media. I painstakingly scanned photos and learnt html. What we do for the love of dogs,” she said with a laugh. “It is much easier to chat online to other dog owners now, thankfully.”
“I have adopted many dogs over the years, and I still run D for Dog. I also do dog sitting in my spare time, so I literally live, sleep and breathe dogs,” Jenny revealed. “I have had the pleasure of sharing my time with some of the best, most loving and funniest dogs you could ever hope to meet. From lion-taming Chihuahuas to German Shepherds who run away from kittens, I have met and loved them all.”
We also asked Jenny about dogs having their own senses of humor. “Personally, I love a cheeky dog. Terriers never fail to make me laugh,” she shared. “They definitely do things to get a reaction. Their zest for life is unrivalled, and they are so determined when they set their minds on something.”
“One of my terriers once went missing at the kennels. They found him on the flat roof of the outhouse, watching the frantic search with glee,” Jenny revealed. “Cheeky boy!”
“Another of my terriers, Berkeley, a beautiful boy as white as snow, once took a fancy to next door’s bunny rabbit (who was safely caged, I might add),” Jenny told Bored Panda. “Berkeley climbed our tree, used next door’s BBQ to break his fall (turning it on as he went) and was found watching Mr. Snuffles through the bars with definite intent.”
#5
But even if they get annoying at times, Jenny says that you can’t ever be mad at a dog. “They never do things with malice or evil intent. They really are amazing in every way. And unlike humans, dogs never hold a grudge,” she explained. “Their love for us is truly unconditional.”
“Thinking about it though, my terrier Spadge did once refuse a tasty treat after being left home alone. Imagining his furry 'sister' had been out on a jolly, he was miffed with us and wasn’t shy to show it,” she added. “Of course, he had no idea that Zena had been to the vets to have a carrier bag removed from her bottom after she misjudged its nutritional value on a walk.”
There’s no question that dogs are special creatures. “Dogs can be cute, funny, mischievous, soppy, testing, loving, loyal and um… noisy,” Jenny shared with a laugh. “They also cause varying degrees of mess and chaos whilst shedding fur over all your belongings... But they are worth every minute of our care and attention.”
“I am one of those people who say they want a break occasionally but will then accost strangers with dogs, asking to pet them... The dogs, not the strangers,” she clarified. “Only a dog (and pasta) can make the day better, am I right!”
Jenny also admits that she’s not a strict dog mom. “We definitely have a free for all 'rule' in our house. I am a big believer in letting my dogs share my space,” she noted. “My favorite parts of the day are morning cuddles on the bed and evening pile-ons on the sofa. My Bedlington Terrier never used to leave my side, even when I took a bath.”
“He wanted to experience it all and, despite my best efforts, was partial to bars of soap. He once had suspiciously fresh and floral breath, so I opened his mouth and discovered a small bar of soap wedged in the roof of his mouth,” she revealed. “He was going boss-eyed trying to remove it with his soapy little tongue. I challenge anyone to keep a straight face over things like that.”
And if you’re looking for a dog of your own, Jenny is a firm believer in the "adopt don't shop" mantra. “There are so many dogs in rescues who need homes. I have adopted all sorts of dogs over the years including a deaf Jack Russell, a dog with mammary cancer, and my great goofball Zena who is a front leg amputee,” she shared. “I had to laugh as one of my friends, on learning of this adoption, said ‘Of all the dogs needing homes, I see you struggled to find a complete one.’”
But Jenny says that missing a leg isn’t a problem for Zena at all. “A much bigger issue is the fact that she is a complete fool,” she added with a laugh. “But the great thing about adopting an adult dog is that I already knew that. She might be a fool but she is my fool. Hands off, she is coming home with me!”
Jenny also says it’s important to do plenty of research before bringing a dog home. “They say humans end up looking like their dogs, but I think we also end up acting like them too. Choose a dog that suits your personality, and don't be fooled by stereotypes.”
“Did you know, for example, that Greyhounds love to sleep? They are affectionately known as 60 miles per hour couch potatoes,” she shared with a laugh. “Mixed breeds are generally healthier, so consider a Heinz 57 and definitely don't shy away from the older dogs.”
“Everyone gravitates towards the pups, but adult dogs will generally be past the idiot stage (I hope Zena is reading this!) so adopting a slightly older dog who is out of nappies means you can be more sure of their final character,” Jenny added. “Don't be fooled by pups. They look cute and harmless, but they can destroy your entire home in less time than it takes to say ‘baby gate.’”
“Whatever doggie you choose, be prepared to be their best friend for their whole life. Never take them for granted, and make sure you enjoy every minute,” she continued. “Because dogs are just a chapter in our lives, but we are their whole book. Woof!”
We were also lucky enough to get in touch with Brandon Stapleton, Head Veterinarian at The Farmer's Dog, to gain his insight into the wonderful world of doggos.
“Dogs get more and more incredible the more you think about them. When you look into your dog’s eyes, you’re looking at your buddy, and you’re looking at humanity’s first, best friend,” he shared. “Dogs have been with us, and evolved alongside us, for tens of thousands of years. They’ve been our friends, our protectors, and workmates—there’s an argument that humans wouldn’t be what we are without them.”
“But even if you forget about all of that and look only at the role they play in your life today—they’re still amazing,” Brandon continued. “Just looking at a dog and caring for a dog can make us happier and healthier. We got very lucky to have these adorable, amazing beings as our friends.”
As far as why we find dogs so amusing, Brandon says, “If you asked 100 people this question, you might get 100 different answers. But one of many things that can make dogs’ behavior amusing is that, in some ways, what they’re doing can seem out of place in a human-dominated world.”
“‘Fish out of water’ is a reliable comedy formula for a reason. If your dog is barking at the Roomba, or trying to dig a hole in your bed when a patch of dirt is not available, maybe you’ll be amused because they’re acting in a way that’s natural for them, but not particularly useful in your house,” he explained.
“It may also be funny to see a dog trying to make sense of something whose meaning is a little bit out of reach for them—looking behind the TV set to find the dog they saw on the screen, or tilting their head at an unfamiliar sound effect,” Brandon says. “And we may identify with our dogs—even if we ‘get’ our world more than they do in some ways, we feel versions of the same emotions.”
“And because we love dogs and want to pay attention to them, we have more opportunities to notice them doing things that we find funny. Of course, we may also find them funny because they’re goofy and adorable,” the vet added.
We also wanted to hear Brandon’s thoughts on whether or not dogs have senses of humor. “While dogs can’t tell jokes, they actually might have a sense of humor. We have explored this topic with behavior experts who say that play and ‘practical jokes’ are evidence that dogs could have an internal sense that some things are funny, or at least not to be taken seriously.”
“Just like people say things when they’re joking that would have a different meaning in another context, dogs can signal to each other that their wrestling is play, not fighting,” Brandon shared. “One way they do this is via ‘play bows.’ Dogs can even make a sound during play that some people say is a type of laughter. And Charles Darwin once wrote that he thought dogs enjoyed playing tricks on people. So, while we can’t know what’s going on inside dogs’ minds, it’s reasonable to think that they have a version of what we’d call a sense of humor.”
And if you’re going to adopt a doggo of your own, Brandon says the first thing to know is that having a dog is a joy—and a responsibility. “More than their looks, consider how your dog will fit your life (and how you will fit theirs),” he says. “There’s no one set kind of environment or lifestyle you need to have to give a dog a good home, but you do need to make sure you have the time to devote to caring for them.”
“No matter the breed or size, nearly every dog needs exercise, they need training and socialization, health care, and your time and attention,” he added. “And, of course, it’s important to know that for every bit of love and attention you give your dog, they’ll give it back to you tenfold.”
We also got in touch with Maggie Marton of Oh My Dog! blog to hear her thoughts on this topic.
"Humans find dogs to be hilarious because, well, dogs ARE hilarious," Maggie shared. "Generally, dogs don't take life too seriously. They're playful, silly, and full of fun. They make funny noises. A happy dog's body language – loose, waggly, tongue hanging out – already looks goofy, and then they add to it with hilarity like zoomies, diving into piles of leaves, rolling up in blankets, and all manner of silly behavior."