We have found that a dog has added an enormous amount of joy and pleasure, not to mention exercise to our life. Walks take place three times a day except on Shabbat when she is happy to play in our garden, and wait for a long hike motzei shabbat. She knows when Shabbat comes in as we give her a special treat! I no longer go to the gym, and find having a dog is a great way to keep trim and healthy.
Have met other frum dog walkers out and about, we are a minority but no one has told us its not the done thing, our Rabbi has popped in to meet our pet and introduce her to his kids!. People often ask if they can bring their kids over to teach them how to behave around dogs, sad to see young kids unnecessarily frightened around an animal.