We just lost our only dog after a long decline and heartbreaking death. We will not attempt to take another dog into our family. KittyKate, on the other hand, is just a great cat. We got her because mice were causing many problems in our woodsy environment and despite the fact that my husband is allergic to cats. Gradually she spends more and more time inside and when Cali, the dog, was slowly dying KK would always greet her when she came in the house and at the end would cuddle with her and lick her face. She has also started sitting on my feet occasionally. Somehow it seems more precious to have a feral, very startle prone cat sit with me. When Cali dies KK came and sat on my shoulder for a while, as if to find comfort.