Measuring your life by your dogs
In a Civil War novel I read a couple of years ago, the hero and heroine commit to get married, and the guy talks about how they will measure their life together by the lives of their dogs.
It really touched me. I hadn't thought how we (my family) have done that for years . . .
"Was that before Cassie?"
"No, but she was just a pup."
"We had Rica then."
"Lucky Jack would have loved . . . "
For us, it helps us focus on the good times we have had, and will have again. Different dogs, different dog looks, different dog behavior, but then, now, and to come, unconditional love.