Exactly that - I know you know what I mean there.

someone I met in the street who was petting Spike said that she was impressed at my "unselfishness" for going to so much trouble for him. I said "are you kidding? It was totally selfish. I can't do without him."

which is true. I might have had to force myself to a different decision if I hadn't been so confident of his capacity to adapt and enjoy his life, but this was what I wanted, for me as much as for him. I need him to keep me going.