We've got a 12+ year old Maltese named Angel. She has gotten us through some tough times, just as we've gotten her through a few. She was at the vet this afternoon, ear infections. She's a trooper, and man, I would love to sleep as hard as she does. Surprisingly, she was quite accommodating when the dingleberry below entered our house.
A couple years ago, we "inherited" a 6 year old border collie, Sam. He's smart, extremely perceptive and sensitive, but he is scared to death of thunderstorms, jet airplanes, fireworks, etc. Talking batsheet crazy. I still have to repair/replace a door and doorframe on our 2nd bathroom, because we put him in there during a storm when we were gone for an evening. Fortunately he didnt take out his fear on the maple cabinets. LOL. We think his first owner either kept him tied up outside during storms, or shot around him, and reinforced his paranoia of loud stuff. We can give him 4 benadryl, and it wont even take the edge off. Tried a thunderjacket, which only made him look like a panicing millenial in line at starbucks. Which really sucks, because I absolutely love thunderstorms. He forces me to walk at least 3 miles a day, which supposedly is good for me LOL. He is also quite a jealous one, who cant stand it when someone else is getting attention.
Together, the two of them make an awesome watchdog pair. Sam guards the rear, staring at squirrels and deer with the intensity of Rambo (take your pick, 1, 2, or III). Angel guards the front door(since she loves laying in the sun), and she will only bark at unfamiliar vehicles or people, and the little peckerhead down the street that she doesnt like. Once one barks, its on like donkey kong, and it takes an act of congress to get them both to shut up.