http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/homeless-man-reunited-with-stolen-dog-20101220-192hr.html

I read this today and work and nearly shed a tear. I assume I will never know what it is like to be homeless. I live a very privileged life. I know that if I get into trouble my mother will always bail me out. I have never gone without. I have always slept with a roof above my head and been warm in winter and have always had access to fresh water to shower in and food to eat. I have never gone wanting.

I cannot even imagine what it would be like. Sometimes I wonder when I am cold what it would be like to be cold all night, all the next day and so on with nowhere to go. I then think to myself 'gee I'm glad I'm going home now where I'll be warm'.

This story, about a homeless man (a man two years younger than me) who had his dog stolen from him and was then reunited with his dog really touched me. The guy had been addicted to drugs but since having his dog he hasn't touched the drugs. The love of his dog transformed his life away from drugs.

How much do we really appreciate our pets? Raider has given me so much unconditional love I would be lost without him. His constant cuddles can sometimes by annoying but I wouldn't give them up. I have never received so much love from anyone but my dog. He's there for me when I'm happy, sad, crying, in a foul mood. He is my source of love.