Here's our lovely boy. Excuse the essay, the tl:Dr version is dog ownership is not all roses but so worth it.
He's supposed to be a pedigree working Labrador, complete with papers to prove it but we were doubtful from the start and vets and people in the know independently said they thought there is something else in there. His breeder was convicted of faking pedigrees years later so, there you go. We never cared, we just wanted a nice dog.
He's just slowing down at 10 - loves walks in the country side and swimming but hates being walked along roads or over farmland with crow scarers as he is terrified of loud noises. He also pulls on the lead despite trying many types of training and many types of harness and head collar. Before anyone comes on to bang on at me about how we just haven't tried hard enough or to tell me about a brilliant harness, don't bother, he is who he is. He's no danger to anyone and we work around him. 1 friend and one acquaintance who have had a string of super well behaved dogs due to their superior training skills have since eaten their words when they've come across their own quirky dog.
Outside of the above he was very easy to train. He was 100% solidly house trained by 10 weeks and got sit and wait after three goes.
His vet bills have been massive - thank you pet insurance - he was born with something that needed repair, he managed to stab himself on something in a ditch, he has had gastro dilation volvus and finally had a cancerous lump removed.
He's lovely, a complete snuggle bug. He is instant best friends with everybody and every new toy, cuddle or piece of cheese dropped on the floor makes it the best day ever. He has been my kid's rock when their parents/friends/the world were being stupid and unfair and a marvelous hot water bottle in cold weather.
His farts could peel paint and he snores, loudly.
We love him dearly.