This is timely... I miss having a dog. I grew up in a rural area, and dogs were utilitarian and mostly kept outdoors, where they could roam and protect the property. When I started a family, we got the first of 2 indoor dogs, and they were just the best companions to us. Since I mostly worked from home, I was their primary caretaker.

The second one passed about 5 years ago, and I moved to a new house. I've been thinking about getting another dog, but, to be honest, I've enjoyed the freedom and cleanliness of a pet-free home. I've tried a "doggie day out" program at a local rescue, but it broke my heart to return the dogs at the end of the day. My son and his GF volunteer at a shelter, and routinely send me pics of dogs they come across.

I will have another dog some day, and likely when I'm not traveling as much as I do now.

I have 3 ... I'm going to live forever! ;-)

We have an old one and one with cancer, so by the end of the year we will probably be down to just one. DH already mentioned getting another, but I don't think I will want more after the last one is gone, roughly 4-5 years more based on her age. I love having them, but it is a lot of work and limits daily activities and travel.

We have had 2-3 dogs at a time for the past 23 years. We treat them maybe too well, because all of them have outlived their breed’s typical lifespan. So we’d better get the same benefit, LOL.

English bulldog expected lifespan: 8-10 years. This gem on the right lived to be 13+.

Get cats, live even longer!

I don't have a dog now but a couple of years ago my daughter lived with me along with her dog and cat. The dog was a prince and needed to be walked several times a day. I somehow drew the 5:30 a.m. slot. We all walked a lot, the dog included. I'm a firm believer in the power of walking every single day, multiple times if you can.

Now there's just me and my cat. We depend on one another and have become an odd couple. He's getting up there and has some health issues. He's a doll. When he's gone I don't think I can live without a cat, so I'll probably scour the shelters for an adult cat.

DH and I will live forever lol, we have always had at least two dogs. I think they make us better humans.

I’ve mentioned this before.. but my favorite bumper sticker ever:

”Be The Person Your Dog Thinks You Are”

I think I had it backwards -- I wanted my dog to live longer and told my lab she was going to have to live forever. It really devestated me when we lost her. Luckily, we found Lulu. Who is waiting for me to brush her.

these 2 hooligans will be the last of my giant breeds. if the time comes that they have reached the end and i find myself alone, my plan is to go to the local rescue and bring home the dog that has been there the longest. i don't care what it is or how old it is as long as it isn't a puppy (which is highly unlikely anyway) and as long as it doesn't outweigh me!

Another reason for another dog. I am missing having a dog, my last dog passed 2 years ago. We travel quite a bit but my daughter has offered to watch our dog when we are gone. We also have a friend that has a dog sitting business as backup. My husband has agreed to one dog but is not in favor of two. I have a wait and see attitude, some dogs need a buddy, others are content on their own. This will likely be my last young dog(s). Plan to add a new pup to our family later this year.

Love seeing all your pups and hearing about them.

Our dog is 17.5yo. She is such a sweet girl. She is currently curled up next to me asleep on the sofa. Sleeps under the covers curled up next to me each night.

Quite a dramatic change from her all black fur when she came into our lives at 6 weeks old. I cannot imagine a day without her.

ETA: Both photos are recent, but the first one just doesn't show her matured hair color.

Oh my, be still my heart❤️