English and their dogs

I met English walking with their dogs quite often, most of time it are one aged man or lady with his or her dogs.
At least three men and one lady live alone with their dogs together that I know in my area. It seems dogs are really the best friends to them. If you need a walk dogs are always available, if you need some attention, dogs are also always cheerful to please you. It is a little lonely feeling without a dog's accompany. I begin to realize it is really incredible for most west people to understand eating dog, its mean too much to a lot of people's life, it is not only a dog, it is a partner.