Beau, Again

Guy and I have had Beau now for 3 years. We can read him like a book. We know what his bored sigh sounds like. We know when he is annoyed with us. We know when he wants to go outside. We know when he is content to sleep all day. We know when he is nervous. We know when he is feeling playful. We know when he is sad. We know what he'll eat (no vegetables or fruit). We know how he'll react to different strangers. We know how he'll react to other dogs. We know his favorite places to be rubbed (everywhere). We don't know when he is hungry. But that's about the only thing we haven't figured out yet.

I talk to Beau. I cuddle with Beau. I play with Beau. I can't imagine not having Beau.

A couple months ago in the middle of a never-ending, hot summer. We took Beau out on a nice long hike. His fur isn't exceptionally long, but it is thick. We got back to our apartment and he just couldn't seem to cool down. So we filled up the bathtub partway with ice-cold water and he hopped right in for almost half an hour. And the cuteness ensued.

 Do you consider pets to be family members?