There are people who have dogs as possessions, and then there are people
who are truly emotionally attached to their woofies.
The former have a dog for company, but ignore them and neglect them. My father was one of those. When I was a child, he got an Alaskan Malamute. But never took responsibility for her. Didn't walk her. My mother wouldn't let the dog in the house, so instead of finding another home for the puppy, my father had a literal cage built outside for her. Cement floor, a dog house, wire and wood walls. He fed her by tossing the contents of canned dog food from the opened door. She was out there by herself, ignored. All the seasons. Hot summers, snowy winters. Rain in all temperatures, leaving her fur soaked. Didn't brush her shedding fur, which there was a lot of. We could hear her howl. Never taken for a walk. Her urine and excrement were hosed to the sides of the cage. The stench was unimaginable. For more than 5 years, she was imprisoned. I was relieved when someone offered to adopt her.
Towards the end of his life, my father did it again with a lapdog. Didn't train her. She urinated and defecated all over the house, including two of my mother's expensive Persian rugs. He left the dried shit on the floor. Yelled at me when I bent down to remove it. Had a neighbor walk the dog, but she held it in until she was inside. My father fed her "people food" which didn't help with the digestive tract. In the summer, he took her with him in his car. And left her there. I mean when the car temperature was over 110 degrees. Finally, someone called the Police on him and he actually argued with the officer.
This sounds terrible, but fortunately my father died before he killed the dog.
My point is he had no business having a dog, period. Neither did Kristi Noem.
= new reply since forum marked as read
How could he not be?
1-1/2 YO PIA (on occasions). 
My wife is my best friend. He's my best pal.
So, I share your conviction.
Here he is crashed on the other couch.
You'll have to find another place to sit.
I can't imagine my life without her 