You're exactly right about a dog's resiliency. My little brown mini poodle
Lexie was my dear Aunt Mary's dog. She was 80 when she lost her dog Lacey
and was afraid she was too old to have another. I said "No way Aunt Mary!
You definately should have another dog!" and I promised her that if anything were
to happen to her - I'd take care of it.
Lexie was a year old when she got her from people who could no longer keep her.
She was such a fabulous loving companion for my Aunt! Whenever I'd go visit her
in Narragansett, she'd say to Lex: "Mary's comin today Lex!" and as soon as
I'd pull in the driveway, they'd both come out to greet me.
When she was 85, my wonderful Aunt was diagnosed with a glioblastoma - a very
aggressive brain tumor. We had hospice & also nurses so she could stay in her home & I drove back & forth to RI several times a week. One day, the nurse called me at work and
told me to come right way because my Aunt was totally unresponsive with low pulse
& respiration. I'll never forget walking into her room, my Aunt was lying there so still & pale and Lexie was lying on the pillow with her two front paws protectively covering the top of Aunt Mary's head.
Lex had a look of terror & distress on her face and I 'm
absolutely convinced that she knew where the tumor was.
I bent down & whispered: "I'm right here with you, Aunt Mary" and she immediately
opened her eyes, smiled & said " Hi Mary!". Well, the nurse was so startled she almost fell over and as soon as Lexie heard Aunt Mary's voice - she left her 'guard post" and
started wagging her tail. I think that my Aunt was able to hear my voice that day because of her love for me & mine for her.
When my Aunt died, there were many people who said that'd be glad to take Lexie,
but I couldn't do that. I'd never be sure that she'd be cared for as my Aunt would want.
I wasn't sure how I was gonna manage a dog, working full time, & taking care of my mother who was also ill - but I was determined to fulfill my promise.
What a blessing that little dog has been! She was a great companion to my mother. When I
left for work, I'd say: "Now, take care of Ma today, Lex" and she'd go over and sit next to
her. It was so sweet & amazing! My mother would always laugh & say: "She loves me, but
she's completely YOUR girl!" and I'd say "Yeah, but if Aunt Mary walked through the door
tomorrow - she'd drop us BOTH like a hot potato!".
Lex is now almost 13 & blind & she has health "issues". People would probably
think I'm crazy, but I spend all my available time with her - after work & weekends.
It's very very small recompense to her for all the love she'd given. I have an enormous dog
bed that I take outside with me & she sits on it like a Queen, feeling the breeze & the sunshine. I'm taking "one day at a time" with her, as long as she's not suffering & enjoying
her life - but I know you'll understand completely when I say I can't help but look at her
& feel the dread of losing her. 
They are such wonderful creatures! How can anyone not love them? That's why
I'd like to get ahold of the Michael Vicks of the world & say: "Sit down in this chair and
LET ME PLUG IT IN!!!! "