When they aren't abused, nearly all dogs are extremely loyal and affectionate. When they see you after even the shortest of absences, they act like a kid on Christmas morning just because you're there. They understand basic feelings and will try to comfort you when you're not feeling great. Most are patient to a fault with children. Many if not most will act as guardians, protecting you from threats without hesitation, even in cases where it is obvious it is likely to cost their lives.

We absolutely don't deserve them.

With no cognitive dissonance, I can also recognize that some dogs can be dangerous, and in extreme cases, need to be put down. However, I would point out that the vast majority of misbehaved dogs can and should be trained out of their bad behavior, so it's nearly always their owners' responsibilities.