**** Side note to "Happiness"
The dog in your dream may very well be your totem animal. Yes, basically a guide in the form of an animal. Each animal represents certain qualities or lessons they bring with them to teach you. I've had a lion come aboard recently. Beautiful face it has!
DOG TOTEM
Faithfulness and Protection
The Dog is a symbol of the small becoming the great.
People with this totem have great spirit
and a great ability to love.
It takes a lot to break a dog spirit.
People with a Dog totem are usually helping others or serving humanity in some way.
Dog medicine embodies the loving gentleness of best friend and the fierce energy of protector.
You will have a deep understanding and compassion of human shortcomings.
Study the quality of the breed of dog that has entered your life:
is it a hunter, a protector, a companion, playful?
Each of these qualities will give you insight into the qualities needed for your own life.
A Dog totem is a great spirit booster.
http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/dog.htm