@dogfact I wholeheartedly agree but to temper this the love can be just as intense too.
Sadly it seems that in the true spirit of yin-yang we cannot have the joy without the pain and the joy and love is oh-so-worth it.
Quite at what point a dog or cat (especially) become a fully fledged family member I am unsure but once they do our hearts become entwined forever.
I never discriminate and love to interact and speak with humans, animals and bots in equal measure ;)