My story. I was around 9 yrs old. An older kid I hadn't seen before was kicking the crap out of me for reasons I have long forgot. We had a golden retriever named Jett. I was in the front yard underneath the creep who was bigger and stronger. I was shouting profanities when our loyal and trusted pet bit the bully on the back of his neck. He tried to stand up and I kicked him in the balls. Just then a neighbor friend (15 iirc) came out of his house and started approaching. The douche sprinted away and I never saw him again.
Man's best friend: a Dog (the only time in my life I ever saw my father cry, was when cancer-ridden Jett died 3 yrs later)
Woman's best friend: a divorce attorney (diamonds now a distant second place)