One of my favorite poems was written about a dog:

I miss the wagging little tail;
I miss the plaintive, pleading wail;
I miss the wistful, loving glance;
I miss the circling welcome-dance.

--Henry Willett, "In Memoriam"

My family dogs have been:
-- a poodle, named Buttons, when I was a boy,
-- a doberman, Nathan, who lived only one week but who had already established himself deep in our hearts,
-- a golden retriever, Maggie,
--a pug, Otis, who we had to give up when my wife started seminary, but whom we still visit from time to time,
--our two pug brothers, Calvin and Hobbes, who light up our house.