So much of this article is me! I humanize my dogs and always have. I won't travel if they can't go and I don't like being away from them. I NEVER KENNEL my dogs. I am home every day. I don't like upsetting their daily schedule.

Their comfort is always on my mind. I have a "Millie" that is challenging. She is a rescue and is deaf and blind. She doesn't like to be held and is very difficult to groom. I think she was mistreated . She's a little white poodle with attitude and seems to only like me for providing food. In my life, my dogs have always been the best companions and friends. They never disappoint. My soul dog passed away Oct. 1, 2008.

He would have been 14 years old on Nov. 1, 2008. He was on his blanket laying beside my bed. I still have his pictures all over the house. He was a very wise dog. He would look deep into my eyes. Even in his pictures you can see the intensity. He went everywhere with me. He was a 5 pound Yorkie. There are people that don't "get it" about dogs and I feel sorry for them, as they will never know what it's like to truly bond with a dog. It's a priviledge and I don't care what they think. This is a great article, thanks for sharing your feelings.