I don't know how I forgot the dogs! Thank you for reminding me en bloc! I have a two year old female german shepherd who is the dearest thing. She is afraid of everything and consequently terrorizes everyone except the family with her "stay away from me " bark, but she is absurdly affectionate and gentle with the grand babies, an 80lb. lap dog. The intention was for me to walk her but my husband has to accompany us as I am not stable enough to manage her leash, clean up bags, and hiking poles. She is my constant companion and will lie in bed with me all day if need be.
We have a 12 year old pug, whose only interests in life have been food and warmth. He was just what we needed when we had a crippled 4 year old just out of a body cast who wanted a dog and needed something sturdy enough to roughhouse but small enough not to knock down a tiny child just learning to walk. He is much loved by our sons but has only begun to act like a dog under the influence of the shepherd who bullies him but seeks his company. The pug has become quite capable of defending his rights to food and comfy spots and they have a fascinating dynamic.