I have 4 dogs, all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They were bred back in the day as companion/lap dogs and are so loving. I have a lot of medical issues as well as depression--a chicken & egg situation. I am stuck in bed a lot with being ill and my dogs are there with me 24/7. They are cute and cuddly and my youngest one whose name is Tiny Girl I call my Candy Striper. I have little or no support except from my husband and my dogs. I guess it can be sort of a lot of work but at least that keeps me from doing absolutely nothing. I often am too ill to walk all 4 of them but they are happy for me to throw a ball in the yard and play fetch. My kids are back home in Minnesota and busy in college and career and I am in New Zealand alone during the daytime. I would be lost without my dogs, no doubt about it!