I grew up with two Golden Retrievers. They came along before I did. I called them my sisters. They were my comfort. As an adult, I got to pet sit the most wonderful male Golden Retriever. He chose me as his third person, after his mom and dad.
His name was Sammy. He was there for me when my parents died five months apart. He was there for me when I lost so many friends who passed away shortly after my parents.
He was my best friend.
No one could ever have a better friend than he was to me. He would even pee on my shoes, (to mark 'his' territory,) at the dog park, to make sure all the other dogs knew that I was with him that day. And I let him do it every time. 
He got cancer, and had to be put down in 2021. 
I have pictures of him all over my house. And every morning, I pick up the one that sits next to my bed, and I tell him 'thank you for taking such good care of me.' I miss him so much. 
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