I think I’m officially in a state of mourning.

I know I’ve already referenced it but the passing of actor Matthew Perry of “Friends” sitcom fame has got me down in the dumps.

He was my favorite of the pals for many a reason.

First, his Charlie Brown-like lovable loser status was a thoroughly engaging storyline until the show finally paired him off with Courtney Cox’s slightly neurotic and obsessive-compulsive clean freak Monica.

His signature character of Chandler Bing never — and I mean bar none — failed to crack up old PK!

Whether he was lamenting his failure with the ladies or his imperfection as a reformed but once fully committed smoker, Chandler Bing is, quite arguably, the funniest sitcom character in the history of the biz, you dig?

He was my A No. 1 top dude and I’m quite seriously mourning Perry as if I knew him personally. I know it sounds ridiculous.

Deep, heavy sigh.

On top of this, I am mourning the loss of my sister’s Shih Tzu, a lovable little guy called Riley. He was more than just a dog — the whole family’s, by the by — but he was also its arguably most key member.

Dog lovers get it. They know how incredibly a pup impacts a family by becoming one of its own.

With a little help from www.bing.com let’s review a few of the ways in which dog trumps man, shall we?

1) Dogs offer unconditional love and emotional support that is rare to find in people.

Yep, this is true. I can tell you that my boxer Monnie was always the happiest to see me whenever I’d return home. She proved this repeatedly by literally showering me with big wet sloppy kisses that were nothing short of an actual shower. Gross and sweet, all at once!

2) Dogs offer unconditional love and emotional support that is hard to find in people.

True story. My Monnie hung her head down low whenever she saw me sad! She also saddled up next to me to offer herself up for cuddles. Just sayin’.

3) Dogs have a happy-go-lucky attitude and are always ready for an adventure, making them great road trip companions.

Word on this one. Each of the three dogs I had loved having their ears flopping in the breeze, to be sure.

4) Dogs have hilarious quirks and can make us laugh, whereas people can often be too serious.

Oh my gosh, Monnie would always walk up to a chair in the family room where she wanted to sit in and look at me with a tilted head as if asking permission. She NEVER jumped up into it unless I assured her it was OK. Honestly!

5) Dogs can be protective of their family and offer them moral support.

See No. 1 please and thanks.

If you’re lucky enough to have man’s best friend still in your life, go snuggle. Get some rubs in here from old PK!

Kimerer is a columnist and dog-adorer. Contact her at pkimerer@zoominternet.net.