what are dogs good for?

I guess it depends on what stage of life you are at

as a child my dog was a great friend - she listened to all my secrets and never told on me, we hiked miles together and found all kinds of cool things (well maybe the porcupine wasn't quite so cool in hindsight)

as a young adult my dog helped me mature - accept responsibility for another living soul and make choices that weren't always entirely about me - good training for life

now the dogs do all of the above but they also comfort me, protect me and my surroundings, entertain me, keep me fit and active, give me things to do (and things to spend money on I must admit!)

dogs are good for a lot- my dogs in my life are a great all round addition to it