The only reason I ended up with just cats is I've been traveling a lot and the dogs suffered miserably wherever they were left. So when the last one passed on I didn't get another.
That's what I'm afraid of when I go to stay with my aunt when my cousins need me. I don't want Shadow to think I have deserted her. She is now use to sleeping in the bathroom and knows what "Time for bed" and "get in your bed" means. I can't wait till she is fully housebroken though. There are several good kennels in the area for when I go to Aiken, but that is only for overnight.