When one lives in a crowded, concrete antiecosystem like Manhattan, one needs a way to focus on somethiing silly.  Dogs are perfect for that.  Their joy in life is so uncomplicated and complete that it's infectious.  I adore them and am indebted to them for, temporarily at least, erasing the pressures of life in the big city.
 

Most of all, I love MY DOG .

I am also very fond of OTHER PEOPLES' DOGS.