My life pretty much revolves around my dogs and dogs in general (cats, too

) As far as those who have died...I heard it said perfectly once that you never get over them, you just get used to living without them. I have said time and time again that when Dudes time is up, mom might consider having me committed for a few weeks so I can burn off some steam. I've had a real problem with worrying about this since Dude started showing his age, but I don't want the rest of his life being nothing but a preparation for death. Not fair to either one of us.
Abuse cases make me feel sick, but I'm talking REAL abuse (tying dogs/horses up to starve/die of thirst, being beaten, dog fights, etc). I know of too many people who consider a dog living outside as abuse, and feel justified in taking the dog or calling AC, and that is crap IMO and a great start at having the gov't being able to dictate what's right and wrong when it comes to caring for dogs and cats.
Most non-dog people would probably say I am too emotionally attached to my pets. I'm also not addicted to drinking, drugs, sex, or shopping, and I'll take an animal addiction over all of the former. As much as our species have relied on dogs in the past for so many things, I'm really not surprised we've gotten this way. Dude is my "go-to-guy" when I need someone around who won't judge or whine or feel like putting their two cents in when I've had a bad day. He's just there, and is sweet about it. He's just a good, good dog. Tag is the one who makes me laugh, constantly. Everything he does is cute, I swear. Even when he's being a total butt head, he's making me crack up. (Last night at agility I tossed my leash to the end of the course, Tag, who NEVER breaks a start line wait, saw the leash go flyin' and took off after it. I busted up, everyone else started laughing hard, and then he decided he would jump on TOP of the tunnel, run the length back and forth while "saying hi" to the people sitting behind it. I couldn't stop laughing. He was being SUCH a brat, but shoot...it was funny). Auz is the dog I rely on most, in the best sense of the word. He can spot a fly landing on something that might belong to us 1/2 mile away in the pitch dark. If Auz barks, I look out the window. If Auz runs out the dog door, roaring, I call in a priest...
It's really no loss until (JMO) dogs aren't allowed to put their precious paws on the ground and must be carried everywhere, or are made to be SO dependent on US that they absolutely cannot function alone, or are denied being able to "be dogs" for the sake of what makes us comfortable or uncomfortable. I'm well aware some adult dogs come with baggage, but dealing with people who WANT to help their dogs is wonderful. Saying "well, my dog barfed in the car, so I just won't take her anywhere anymore. She hates other dogs, so I won't walk her. She's scared of the mail man, so I have to stay home every day from 12:00 til 1:00 and hold and comfort her in case he comes by" is a form of mental abuse to me.
My dogs aren't allowed to leap all over me, nip me or others, or pee and poop inside. But they ARE allowed to roll in the grass, play with one another, chase toys, and wrestle.