Canine companionship

As a society, we spend billions of dollars on online dating, matchmaking services, speed dating events, and singles clubs... people need connection and love, after all.

Why not just adopt a dog from your local breed rescue club or animal shelter (www.petfinder.com, www.akc.org)?

A wise dog lover once said, "To err is human; to forgive, canine."

Dogs provide more than companionship. Dogs provide humor, substance, humility, forgiveness, energy, warmth, and grace.

My English Bulldog Major is a pretty cool friend. He grounds me, and makes me take a moment to take a breath, pat his back, watches TV with me, and generally is a constant source of humor in our house. We once used my Flip video camera to make a "Major Motion Picture" starring you-know-who, and we enjoyed watching that video for months. He's a great dog, despite the $257 vet bills and constant grooming and walking and feeding and... awww, heck. He's a great dog.

Dave Barry once said, "You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'"