Anybody who's read my posts for long knows that Bud originally had the same attitude toward dogs as the OP does, ie: they were just not practical and a serious pain in the tush. Then we got Poquita, or rather, she got him. That tiny pup somehow manage to reveal the playful kid underneath that stodgy-old-guy disguise. I do not think it a minor detail that Bud soon discovered the phenomenon known as "chick magnet." :W Walking Poquita did not turn out to be the ordeal he'd imagined. Which is not to say that the transformation happens in every case, but it is sort of wonderful when it does.
Traveling and camping took on a much lighter and more relaxed tone with a pooch along. Sure, there were (are) accommodations to be made, but they're worth it a thousand times over.