I had the most lovely dream last night and it got me to thinking.

I love dogs. I love the way they get all excited when you come home. I love the way the look at you when you're talking to them like they understand every word you say. I also love to pet them and cuddle with them.

I have hubby to do all of this now, so I really don't need a dog anymore (snicker). Of course, I much prefer having The Hubs over having a dog for many reasons; two of which are that he doesn't wet on the carpet or chew up the furniture. I also don't have to take him out for a walk.

But I miss puppies. I just love puppy breath and being licked by little puppies. I do not miss potty training, arranging my schedule so I'm home at a certain time, making arrangements while I'm on vacation, or cleaning up dog messes in the back yard.

Probably the biggest reason I'll never get a dog again was the pain I felt when I had to put my last dog to sleep. I prolonged the inevitable way too long because I just did not want to let her go. I kept having the vet give her more and more medications just so I could have her that much longer. She was such a sweet girl, especially considering the life she had before she came into my home. She was a rescue dog and all of six years old when I got her. She was horribly abused and she had severe health problems, seemingly cleared up by the time I got her.

The way she would look in your eyes showed the sweet little spirit that was housed in that worn little body. She only lived for three years with me before I had to let her go, and it was one of the most heart wrenching things I'd ever been through. I still cry about it now every once in a while and that was over two years ago. I miss that sweet girl and I was glad that she lived the life of a little princess if only for three years.

I had a dream last night that I decided to volunteer at a veterinarians office. Just go in the back and hold and pet the puppies and the dogs. I wonder if veterinarians have such a program? I certainly wouldn't give up Hospice for this, but maybe I could get my fix once a week.

I'll have to check into it.