Yeah having a dog, and bei a responsible dog parent, definitely helps with the whole "acting like an adult" thing ;-P
Mac was bate for pitbull fights. He has a huge scar on his stomach and scars on his face from he attacks and caging. You'd NEVER know it if you were to meet him now. He is friendly, loving, beautifully trained (if I do say so myself) and is very brave. He's still wary of strangers, and they have to earn his trust.
Honestly, waking up next to him and Andy (the cat) every day is he best feeling in the world.