i love my dog. i am not married and nor do i have kids, so she is my baby. i am a dog trainer or people trainer for dogs and have been for 15 years. i rescued her from a very neglectful situation. when she is around people she comes alive. first, she barks to say hello, which can be a little disconcerning and then she does a full 90 degree turn and is on her back loving on you and kissing you and just being a doll. it is for this reason, that i love to take her into rest homes with patients with alzheimers and dementia and where people are going through their last stages of life and sometimes not very smoothly. when i put her on their laps and have them pet her, something clicks in their brain and the interaction makes both the dog and the person feel so much more loved and calm and present. animals provide so much service and love and therapy to the sick, troubled children, the elderly, the handicapped and to their owners. in this world where we are caught up in the rat race and being so busy with our bubbles of life where we can be so self absorbed and caught up in the "more" disease. we have to remember that there are others out there who are struggling and suffering and have it so much worse. the fact that i can bring diva duchess around to lift some of these people's spirits and bring their soul alive is a blessing for me, as well as them. the world is a difficult place and we need all the love and special connections that we can get.