Thank you, clivewil

I lost 4 feline masters to the roads of Zaandam in 5 years. The last, my 'momma cat', "Pixel" (Because she was a small part of the big picture) just broke my heart. I knew I could never have another cat. A year without a 'familiar' and I was starting to crack up. I knew the people across the road had dogs, but had never got close to them due to problems we'd had with their teenage son. But I bit the bullet & talked to them. Or perhaps more accurately, they busted me while I was on my knees 'talking to' their 3 fluffy white puppies through a baby-gate at their front door.
Only turned out that they are rehabilitation trainers for one of the big international dog rescue charities!
- Like Bosnian street-dogs with bullet scars

So, I worked with their pack for maybe 3 months before being 'approved' as psychologically & spiritually ready to become an Alpha Dog.
I've never looked back!