I had a little black mutt for a very short time when I was about 9 years old - his name was Tex and he was born in Texas to my oldest brother's dog (my brother was living in TX at the time). Unfortunately my parents never got him any vaccines and he got distemper and had to be PTS. I was heartbroken, and after that my father vowed to never have another.
So I never had another dog until I was married - and have never been without at least one ever since. No home is complete without a dog (or cat)!