I am a pretty experienced dog owner, particularly the working breeds (3 dobermans, 2 german shepherds, currently a belgian malinois). These dog breeds are meant to be constant companions, protectors, work partners, etc. Sometimes I think the main contribution of pets is that they remind you that there is a cycle to life. My older German Shepherd recently left us after being weak enough that for a month I had to carry her outside to do her duty, then carry her to lie next to the bed at night. About a week before she died, we in the living room watching TV and looked up and she came staggering in, barely made it and lay down with her head on my feet. It was the first time she had walked on her own for about a week, and she just made a super effort to be with us. She left us and we now have an energetic Belgian Malinois puppy. The cycle of life makes another circle.