Living with a dog is far better than living without one, and here is some anecdotal evidence to prove this. It may help you make the long overdue decision to move in with a pet, but let’s not kid ourselves: in the end, the dog will make all the decisions. 

No one will ever understand you like your dog—or any dog, for that matter. When things go south, it’ll be in your lap ready for a cuddle. When you’re crying, it will lick tears off your face. And when you feel like dancing with joy, your dog and its wagging tail will join your celebration. You don’t have to say or explain anything, but even if you choose complete honesty, there’s no need to fear rejection. A dog’s eyes see everything, ears hear the slightest change of tone, and nose sniffs out every mood. While we still don’t fully understand what makes dogs sad or what excites them, we know they are able to tune in to our feelings and simply share them with us. They won’t comment, offer advice, or get bored when we complain about the same thing for the seventh time. Hugging a dog takes away at least half of life’s burdens. Conversely, a wagging tail and a dog’s eyes make all misery go away and amplify all joy. Dogs are known as man’s best friends, because in friendship they never make the kind of mistakes that humans often make. They never ask stupid questions, they listen patiently, and their sheer presence eliminates the penetrating singularity of human fate: both immediately and in the long term. Dogs are also stable in their feelings; they are unlikely to suddenly file for divorce. 

But they also have their moods. An offended dog is a hundred times worse than an angry spouse. Instead of offering to play or offer a kilo of sausages, it’s best to just be your