Dogs are the best. They have all teh qualities that we humans say that we have, but for dogs those qualities are just what they are....a dog.
I have a female boxer that just cannot remember that she is 70# and is not a lap dog. So that means when I am sitting in my recliner I have a 70# snoring boxer in my lap....
I grew up with a doberman and as an only child......it was usually just she and I...all of the time. At night when it was family time, she was considered part of that family!
Now I have children of my own and for us, our boxer Shelby is part of the family, jut not "the dog".
She will be 10 this fall and is slowing down a bit, but still healthy and hale!
For me, a dog is more than just a dog.....it must be the wolf in me.....