The world isn't getting any easier. With all these new inventions I believe that people are hurried more and pushed more... The hurried way is not the right way; you need time for everything - time to work, time to play, time to rest.
I can't imagine not having a dog as a companion. They know when it's play time or walking time and they know when it is working time and they are content to catch up on their sleep knowing you are close by.