I grew up with a wonderful mixed water dog, unusually strong, intrepid swimmer through the ice, etc. Many stories about George.
My life just hasn't accommodated a dog, so we have three cats. Two are brothers, Maine Coon seeming rescue cats out of a drain
pipe as kittens, bottle fed because mom took off. The rescuers assumed the first heavy rain would drown the litter. Maine Coons
have many dog traits, sociable, interactive. Our other cat moved down from Long Island with my wife. The guys don't quite accept
her. Luckily, she's tough, but sometimes, she sleeps with her back against my neck for reassurance and purrs like a tractor. Makes
me sleep great.