I understand my beliefs won't be accepted by most here, but the thread still warrants a different perspective.
Freedom is good, but choosing one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, or choosing one’s own way is a model for living selfishly - focused on one's own pursuits of pleasure, power, or money over the cares or concerns of others. While this is attractive to many people, we don't read inspiring stories or watch movies about these people feeling fulfilled later in life when thoughts of mortality replace feelings of fun times. On the contrary, the people who express the most joy and satisfaction with their lives at the end of the road tend to be the ones who have "given" the most to society or others in some way. I would thus suggest that loving others is a better formula for living a fulfilling life than serving ourselves.
I would agree that a dog, career, and fun activities definitely make life more enjoyable and worthwhile, but there's no escaping the reality that relationships with people are more important. I don't think we should ever give up pursuing relationships with people or allow other things in life to replace this essential human need.
Finally, in the end, what matters most: enjoying life or fulfilling its purpose? For the secularist, there is no lasting meaning or purpose in life and nothing to look forward to after death. If you're going nowhere and taking nothing with you when you die, then it should be hard to feel any permanent satisfaction or joy in life. The Christian has a purpose in life though and a future to look forward to. It's uncertain whether our beloved pets will join us in heaven and the new world, but the relationships we build here with God's church family are lasting - the only thing we do take with us when we die. Loving God and loving people IS our purpose in life.