So who has had a dog they LOVED

A dog represents to most everyone two qualities hard to find elsewhere: Unconditional love for and loyalty to their owner.

So its New Years Eve, things are gloomy all over, but dogs remain a positive spark.

I have had a number of dogs.

Laddie
Timmy
Susie
Tiger and now
Newton

Laddie was our young family's first dog. It was a beautiful collie. It was an awesome dog, but my parents decided to give it another home because children, a new home and a big dog were just a bit much for them that early on. Tragically, as in a fictional story, Laddie ran away, and had almost returned home to us, when he was run over by a train at a crossing.
Almost killed me when I heard of it.

Timmy was my first personal dog, and we were virtually joined at the hip. He was put to sleep in his old age, and again, I almost died.

Then there was my sister's stray dog, Susie. A chihuahua mix. I had a BB gun and a pellet rifle, and right off, when I picked it up to go outside to shoot, she jumped up and insisted on going with me. She would always do that, even if sick. And she would actually fetch the birds, rats, etc. I shot. Do not panic, I feed em all now. She also was put to sleep in her old age.

After that I had Tiger, but did not allow myself to get attached. I did not think I could handle their dying again.

And then my wife got a Jack Russell she named Newton. She spent big time money training that dog, getting it certified, and it has more toys and things than most kids. She LOVES it. But it WORSHIPS me. I started trying to stop that, but my wife would not have it. So that is our pet now, and though I hate it, I am getting attached.

Dogs are special. They really do love you, and if you find anyone remotely as loyal as a dog, any dog, well it will be rare.

There is magic between a dog and its owner(s).

Have you experienced that?

Tell us about it!