Ah well... it's impossible to convince non-dog people why dogs are so wonderful. I never had dogs growing up, and shared your views exactly... stinky, noisy, destructive animals.. Why bother?
About 2 months ago, my wife convinced me to adopt a pair of dogs from the pound. Now I understand why dogs are known as man's best friends... they truly can be the most loving, adorable creatures imaginable. Of course, they can also be terribly furstrating... but that's true of anything you care deeply about, living or inanimate.
Mika