Dogs have brains that can hold a lot of memory! I don't care what any "studies" say because it's been proven when soldiers go to war & don't come back for years....their dog totally remembers them! WAY too many "lost dog" stories close to that but again, YEARS gone & these dogs remember their owners!!! I also lost my baby when she was around 2, my brother let her out while I wasn't home & in the beginning of winter she started chasing deer thought it was a game because he went chasing her, why she kept running. She was gone for over a week....that isn't short term either, not a year but not short term. A shelter finally found her since she couldn't get herself back home with all the snow we got right after she took off & every day after for the entire time. They brought her home to me & she was my daughter-couldn't be happier to see me & I her! My Pit was one of the smartest I've known, she always understood what I asked of her no matter what it was or even if she was getting a treat or not. She went outside after that with no fence & let herself back in, turned around & closed the door...if it wasn't her brain allowing her to learn that, what was it? The biggest heart ever too, she ALWAYS wanted to just make me happy & she could talk! She said "mama" & pretty close to saying "i love you"....she really tried! A dog is more than a pet, they are companions, part of the family. Just about any animal can be-as you already know having other pets. I've been an animal behaviorist/trainer my entire life.