I think different people have different ideas about the "function" of pets. For me, having a dog helps accomplish several things. It helps me create and stick to a routine in both the short term and the long term, what with the walking and feeding, the baths, monthly tick medicine, vaccinations, etc. This is good for me because it forces me to get at least two hours of light exercise a day and it keeps me from getting lost in my head and coming out of a fog of ideas one or two days later, finding that I've missed appointments and obligations. My dog also reminds me not to take things too seriously. Maybe the day was disappointing, but a little tug-of-war or taking a minute just to enjoy lying on the floor in a patch of sun light might be a good way to refocus on the present moment. The anus thing is true though.