Dogs are great family pets that will love you unconditionally and be there for you on your worst days. Most people like dogs on some level, or at least tolerate their goofy, slobbery demeanor. Some people will say they prefer dogs over cats, and others will claim they love dogs. Then there are the people who love dogs so intensely it's almost a constant distraction to their daily lives. I am one of those people.

When you have a passion for dogs like I do, any contact with a dog can change your day and bring happiness and joy to your heart. Here are six signs you have become an extreme lover of dogs and can never go back.

1. Every time you see a dog, all your thoughts become focused on petting it.

It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are talking to or what important meeting you must get to, once a dog appears that creature turns into your number one priority. The only words coming out of your mouth in the next five minutes will be "Ohh that dog is so cute!" and "May I please pet your wonderful dog?"

2. While in college, you count down the days until you get to see your dog at home.

Your parents are just a phone call away, but you can't see your dog for another two weeks, three days and six hours. You haven't had time to teach your dog how to dial your cell phone number yet, so the next time you come into contact with each other will be that glorious moment you pull into the driveway and your dog is sprinting out the door to see you.

3. Your future plans revolve around how happy your dog will be.

If you get your own dog someday, it will live the life of royalty but also be the best trained dog in the entire country. But by "if" you mean "when," and by "dog" you mean "pack." You need a place to walk your dog and let it frolic through a meadow, so big cities aren't an option. It's important for your dog to socialize so all your neighbors will need to have dogs as well. Questions arise like, "Will my career path require traveling? Because my three Labradors will want to settle down at some point and start having puppies, but they need to see the world first."

4. On a bad day, videos of dogs can cheer you up in five minutes flat.

They are so curious about the world and get bored easily, so there are hours upon hours of videos where dogs do hilarious things. Owning a dog means having a source of comedic entertainment every day.

5. That Sarah McLaughlin commercial is torture and must be muted as soon as possible.

As soon as you hear "In the arms of an angel..." you know it's time to make some quick moves to turn off the television. Is someone playing that song on their phone near you? Throw that phone against the wall! Any song that takes six words to remind you of dog abuse needs to not reach your ears. You already own seven dogs and are in the process of adopting an eighth, and now you have to save those dogs on the commercial too.

6. They can also make you cry out of happiness because of their preciousness.

Dogs are just that powerful for you. Anything from watching them greet their military owners they haven't seen in a year to a puppy learning how to howl will make you happy-cry.

Dogs are the epitome of love and happiness. They can help any members of our community from rehabilitating criminals to providing therapy to children with disabilities. Dogs help police officers and serve in the army due to their keen sense of smell and intelligence. And remember, there are no bad dogs in the world, just bad owners.

Dogs are love. Dogs are life.