Not really single

At 37 I find that my daughter will soon be out of the house and off to college. Friends say "you will be so lonely" They are correct in some sense except that I have 5 dogs to keep me company. I find that they are the best companions as they do not care and that I have entered the days of middle age spread, cereal for dinner and hours on the sofa listening to me sing ridiculous songs that I have made up for each and every one of them. After being in a relationship for 12 years w/o the ring and the constant complaints of "no more dogs" I am single again and am either old enough or naive enough to be totally content to have a full on dog house. All my dogs are rescues and 2 are due to my failure to become a successful foster parent for a local shelter where I volunteer. I find that I cannot stay away from the shelter for more that a day. I find that there is not a single breed (yes, including pits) that I don't love wholly and completely. I had my first date in 2 1/2 years with someone I have known for years. He came in to "meet" the dogs and I was unclear how to read his reaction as they all climbed, licked and wiggled to get closer to him. He at least was polite enough to say that they were fine being the 100+lb maniacs that they are. Although, I won't hold my breath for another date. I found myself thinking that there just isn't anyone that will understand and I am just fine with that.