My deepest sympathies to you and your family, I am a cat person but love all animals, a dog is a mans best friend too, just as a cat, or budgie or even a reptile can be, but dogs seem to have a certain humanity about them, they hear that leash being unhooked and they know its walkies or the sound of a dog can being opened up, how they sit and watch, they are more than pets eh, part of the daily routine of family life!
Sorry brother.
Cheers Billy