I had a dog growing up named Ruffy. Ruffy was the best old gal ever, and was with our family from the time I was 5 until 18! Neil had Penny, who he got as a child, and who I remember when we were dating!
We got Benni as a puppy for our first anniversary (2004). I remember thinking, "this will be the dog our kids play with, who knows all their secrets, who watches them go to school and who protects them." While spastic goofball Bennigan is far from being a Ruffy or a Penny (hee hee), he does his best to "play" with Olivia, and she with him. I know it's premature, but it's still fun to see their relationship blossoming.