Should we adopt Brenda the brindle? This question has been at the forefront of my mind for the last 48 hours. I go about my business, trying to picture life with a dog at my side. It's raining, I need to walk her anyway. I'm reading a book - wouldn't it be fun to have a cuddle partner? Where would she sleep? Where would she eat? Would the cats ever forgive me? Ooh, I bet she'd make a GREAT running partner!

I've asked numerous friends and the odd stranger on the street what they think I should do. The answers I receive are of little help. Everyone who owns a dog says, without reserve, that they are fountains of unending love and they can't imagine life without their best friends. "Yes, you should do it!" these people tell me. Yet many of these same people admit that once their current dog passes, they're unlikely to get another dog, at least anytime soon. "Too much work," and "Ties you down," are the phrases I hear repeated.