I was thinking the same as Will, it is a beautiful story, and it could have been life giving you what you needed, (I wont mention God cuz you said you don't believe) and maybe I should get a dog! But I have a cat and only allowed one animal, I could be waiting a while because my son loves the cat.
Dogs are a wonderful way to meet people, I usually have to stop to pet them when I'm walking somewhere, I don't care how weird people might think I am that I feel compelled to talk to them and pet them, always just loved dogs so much.
Thanks for sharing your story! hugs