And as further example of the depth of the loss- for the past few years I've hit XPT and run, not really invested. And here tonight I find myself invested enough to camp on the board waiting for a sympathetic response. And that's only because the big fat mess of a Lab who I spent untold time and money with isn't lying right next to me right this minute releasing fleas into my Mom's basement regardless of how much I spent on Heartguard and Frontline. He'd fall asleep snoring with his head on my foot and snore like hell, and I'd probably be reading Deadspin right now.

I'd stand up, he'd snort, look up at me and I'd tell him to be cool and his head would hit the floor and he'd go right back to chasing ducks in his dreams.

It's not that I don't care about people, but that a few dogs have cared a lot more about me, and I can appreciate that.