Dogs have added immeasurably to my life. I had one as a kid, but I didn't have another until much later in life. Actually, it was during my marriage. In fact, that's the best thing that came out of that marriage -- my dog, Boomer. I loved him more than I loved any human being, and when he passed away, I grieved for him more profoundly than I've ever grieved any loss. The same is true of my next dog, who passed about nine months ago. Time moves forward, and now I have a new dog.

It is hard to express how much gratitude I feel for the three or four dogs with whom I've shared my life. They've known me better than anyone has. They've supported me; they've comforted me; they've helped me become a better person. They have grown my soul. I don't even want to imagine what solo life would be, without a dog.

I saw this video by Paul Elam a moment ago, and I had to share it. He says it very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7cSheeBgFI

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"Unless a man has loved a dog, a part of his soul remains unawakened" - Anatole France.