The best philosophers in the world are usually covered in FUR. Never mind the shedding. It's a small price to pay for the lessons they will teach you if you just learn to listen. They are extremely intelligent beings with supernatural abilities. They are great-big or teeny-tiny hugs from God. It may sound cheesy, but the truth is that their language is the language of love. Trustworthy, simple, and straightforward l-o-v-e. (Not to mention that it's also unconditional and very, very forgiving.) Dogs can be mentors, muses, and therapists. They can be entertaining and humorous. Dogs can be fitness partners one day and lazy/mental health-day (non)co-workers the next. On occasion, they can even serve as chick magnets or stand-ins for the "hot friends" you don't have. To top it off, dogs can even be co-conspirators and silent passengers–seat-belted of course–who are happy to ride along when you roll down all your windows and drive too fast in the HOV lane while singing "Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin" way too loud! My motto is this: Love, love, love all dogs! (And remember to tolerate people. All people. Or at least try.) And for those of you who may be too young to know (or too old to remember) every word to that song by Journey, here's a link to the video and lyrics. Put your seatbelt on and turn it way up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTkHFQC3wow