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Dear Heloise: After my husband’s death, my next door neighbor Bill’s dog came to hang out on my deck and did it every day after their walk.

Bill said he had heard that dogs could detect sadness, and he would not force Shadow to leave if I wanted him to stay. Shadow, a chow/keeshond mix, has been my guardian for more than six years. The only explanation I can offer is that my husband and God sent him to me for comfort and to keep me from being so lonely. – Carolyn H., Decatur, Ala.