Hi, No one should give anybody a hard time for loving their pets. There is no such thing as loving them too much. Our family is grown up and on their own and our two Schnauzers are our new family. We sleep with our little black girl ( Schnauzers don't shed), she gets a little play time then curls up to go to sleep, our boy likes privacy, so he goes in his kennel at night.
They are allowed anywhere in the house they care to go and can curl up on any sofa or chair that takes their fancy. We have birthday parties for them etc. There are so many animals that don't have a home or loving family, that if you do have pets love them all the more.