From Stuart McLean’s Stories from the Vinyl Cafe:

Dorothy knew exactly what she was doing buying the dog. It wasn’t for company – although, at the time, the notion of having something in her life that loved and, more importantly, listened to her, was a comforting thought. She bought him because she didn’t want her life getting too easy. Complications were important. Without something messing up your plans you became self-centered. Then you became selfish.

Well put.