I agree that loneliness can be nearly as hard to bear as pain. My dog means a great deal to me, both as a friend, as well as my service dog. Many of us feel lonely even though we're not alone. You're not alone in your loneliness.

Jim

@parus although you are a "large dog person" maybe you could adjust to a smaller dog.
Dogs are such good companions, I wish I could have one too.
JK

Appreciate the suggestion. The main concern is always being physically able to walk a dog. So many folks here have those small yappy dogs which has reached the point w/ all of the yapping I do not even want to consider one. One dog barks they all bark. Many think because a dog is small in size it is okay for the ankle biter to bark and and snap at others or that it is even cute when they do so. Not the dog's fault either. I prefer the loneliness that is so prominent in a busy, noisy world. At least this time of the morning there are no yapping dogs---so peaceful.

Abby @amberpep - I'm with you on the yapping. My wife has a Manchester Terrier, and the nature of the breed is to be a watchdog, which he certainly does. He doesn't yap, but I do get tired of him barking every time he sees one of the horses move. He's learning to stop when he's told he's done his job. My medium sized dog, a McNabb, isn't a barker, unless Pete gets her going.

I've always been a dog person, but grew to like cats since my wife, Marilyn, likes them. They don't bark, and mostly just require food, a cat door and lots of petting. Petting is therapeutic to both the petter and the pet.

Time to get to church. I'm feeling better this morning, and hope it lasts the whole day.

Jim

Jim, @jimhd

Glad to hear that you are feeling better this morning!

Teresa