[Mamzelle]

People can be so selfish, and leave you bereft and lonely. Pets don't care what you look like, they're always glad to see you.

I remember when my kids were growing up and I was always frazzled and untidy, and knew lots of "child-free" couples and they invariably had beautiful dogs. They lavished affection on the dogs, and the dogs loved them back. Sometimes it doesn't work out so well between people and their children. There's a little envy for their leisure and orderly lives...

But dogs don't live long, and they don't graduate from college and go on to become successful adult humans. There's a lot of joy and satisfaction in that. And then you can really enjoy what pets have to offer in the way of stress-free companionship.

[Jeff Chandler]

Pets don't care what you look like

Yeah, well consider the source:

[shhrubbery!]

I remember when my kids were growing up and I was always frazzled and untidy

Same here.

But -- as you added, the joy of watching our children grow up into successful and decent adult humans made it all worth it.

Now that all four children are out of the nest, I finally have time to indulge my dog. So yes ... he's my baby. And what a joy he is, my little rescued mutt.