Dog people are a special breed. We love our puppers unconditionally and we know the importance of canine companionship. But, why do we love ❤ dogs so much?
LOYALTY: We've all heard the stories of grieving dogs; dogs that love their human counterparts so much that they refuse to leave their side when they're ill or their graveside. There're some that believe dogs loyalty stems from food and shelter. However, when you see a dog get reunited with his human, than you know the relationship is much deeper. For example, a dog named Hachiko would greet his human at the train station after work; even after he passed away, Hachiko would return to the station to greet him. This patterned continued for nine years (when Hachiko died).
FRIENDSHIP: Thorns may hurt you, partners desert you, family disappoints; but you're never friendless with a dog. Dogs have been human's best friends for thousands of years. They never judge us and they're always happy to 👀 see us.
THERAPY: "I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there're things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source," Doris Day. Animal-assisted therapy has been linked to the reduction of anxiety, pain, and depression. Pet Therapy has benefited patients undergoing chemotherapy, veterans with PTSD, and physical therapy patients working on fine motor skills.
HEALTH: People with dogs live longer than ones without pets. This is not pro-dog propaganda; it's a fact that pets have a calming influence that helps reduce blood pressure. Spending 15-30 minutes a day with a dog can reduce stress and promote tranquility. Furthermote, Quality time with your dog increases dopamine and serotonin; neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and tranquility.
UNCONDITIONALLY LOVE: "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than they loves themselves," Josh Billings. Scientists have recently proven that dogs love us back with MRI brain scans. The tail wagging and butt wiggles aren’t for food (but it’s probably part of it); they're genuinely happy to see us.
PROTECTION: It's believed that man’s first interactions with dogs (wolves) resulted in a beneficial relationship for both species. The wolves got easy pickings from the humans' food scraps; and people got the benefit of having the wolves protected them from predators. In more recent times, dogs were trained by the military as sentry guards. As silent scouts, dogs would warn troops to the presence of enemies, diminishing the chances of an ambush.
SELFLESSNESS: Your dog never lies to you. There's nothing better than coming home from a very hard day at work to find your dog eagerly waiting for you.
EXERCISE: Dogs require daily exercise; the responsibility falls onto us. So it is no surprise that dog people tend to be more active. One study found that dog owners were 34% more likely to achieve their recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week.
FORGIVENESS: "My dogs forgive anger in me, the arrogance in me, the brute in me. They forgive everything I do before I forgive myself;" Guy de la Valdene. Dogs don’t hold grudges. They don’t hang on to what someone said years ago. When one of them plays too rough, the other dog lets them know immediately, then it's done.
HAPPINESS: "The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." Samuel Butler.
This blog was for entertainment; it is not meant as a comprehensive list or for scientific use. For more information on the emotional health of your pets, visit your veterinarian or pet behavioral specialist.