Wow, you sure did go into detail!!!
I think you're right though. Dogs are the best for a companion and they're cheap. I have a cat here in Minnesota that thinks he's a dog and acts like one. I also have a dog in Tennessee at my mom's house. He's a basset hound/golden retriever mix. His name's Thunder and he has a thing with empty pop bottles. He's cute. I'll have to show you pictures....