Hello Mist-Faer,
WELCOME!!
I'm sorry to be late in welcoming you. I look forward to reading your posts and having fellowship with you.
I've had dogs for all of my life, and I obviously love them. It's addictive to have a sweet and loving animal who will love you unconditionally. We treat our dogs with the utmost care, so most of our dogs have lived beyond 15 years of age. We recently lost our 16 year old, and it was definitely like loosing an old friend. My one remaining dog right now is 15 years old, and he is in good health.
Our children treat animals the same way and were raised with dogs. Their first dog lived 16 years. I also think there is value in treating children how to treat animals. We all believe that animals give us much more than what we give them.
Love In Christ,
Tom
John 15:15 NASB "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.