What is the benefit of mentioning the dog in the story of the People of the Cave?

Al-Shanqeeti said: Allah's mention of the dog that accompanied the Companions of the Cave indicates the virtue of associating with the righteous, as the dog attained honor due to the blessing of its companionship with them. This aligns with the Hadith: "You are with those you love." It also indicates that associating with the wicked is very harmful, as in His (Allah's) saying: (One of them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion Who almost ruined me. And if not for the favor of my Lord, I would have been among those brought forth [to hell].")