We have a little Jack Russell Terrier named Molly. She has enough energy for two dogs. She is 12 years old and just starting to relax and be a bit less tenacious. My wife and I have a soft spot for dogs and we have never been without at least one in the house.
Molly has a fetching personality (sorry) and loves to be with us. Her emotional traits seem to run the same gamut as ours, from glee to sorrow. She is rough and tumble little thing physically who gets big watery eyes at the slightest rebuke.
For me, the following says a lot about the way I feel about dogs. I stole it from the internet.
If you can start the day without caffeine If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time.
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than an poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
THEN, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.