Life without dogs... We don't think so!
We all know how cute dogs are and how much fun they are to play with. But they also eat a lot, poop a lot and get into all kinds of mischief. They are expensive, and require a lot of time and attention. So do you really need a four-legged friend? YES, you do! And here are the Top 10 reasons why you need a dog to jazz up your life:
1. Dogs increase your mood dramatically! Spending just 15-30 minutes with your dog can help you feel more calm and relaxed, reducing stress and increasing happiness. Playing with your pup increases your brain’s levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and tranquility. So the next time you’re feeling down, grab a toy and spend some time with your pup! That wagging tail will be sure to put a smile on your face.
2. Humans with dogs recover more quickly from illnesses.Dog owners have a much higher rate of recovery from being sick than non-dog owners. In fact, humans with pooches who suffer from heart attacks are twice as likely to fully recover as those without! So start cuddling your dog!
3. Having a dog improves your physical well-being and encourages a healthy fitness.Of course! Your dog requires daily exercise, and so do you! Dog owners carry the responsibility of playing with and working their dogs, so it only makes sense that dog people tend to be more active.
4. Dogs help increase social interactions.Not only do dogs need care and playtime with their humans, but they need time to socialise with other pups too! This means that their humans will have a chance to socialise while they oversee the puppy playdates. Even going on a walk in the neighborhood can bring many new friends around and start many conversations!
5. Having a dog makes YOU more awesome!The responsibility, patience, selflessness, and commitment that come with having a dog make us stronger, all-around better people.
6. Owning a dog could make you more attractive to potential love matches.
According to a study conducted by Dog's Trust, out of 700 surveyed people, 60 percent said that owning a dog can make others more attractive, while 85 percent think people are more approachable when they are with a dog.
7. Because they live to protect their little mates! And children can learn a lot of their fur friends! Remembering to feed, provide water, and clean up after a dog can give children a sense of importance and satisfaction.
Dogs also teach children about socialisation. Like most of us, dogs are social animals who enjoy and need attention and affection. By learning how to interact with a dog, children can learn how to better socialise with new faces and other children.
8. Because they give the best kisses
Cold and damp... But still so cute! Your dog licking your face is a sign of affection and respect - communicating that Fido acknowledges you as the dominant pack leader.
Pups also use licking when curious about how you are feeling. Dogs have special receptors in their nose and mouth which they use to process and interpret the scented molecules found in human sweat. By licking your face, your dog may be able to determine whether you are happy or feeling stressed. And sometimes a human just tastes good!
The act of licking also releases pleasurable endorphins in dogs and often gives them a sense of comfort and security. Your dog may lick your face simply because it feels good (and we like it too)!
9. They are a reflection of your personality!The kind of dog you have tells people a lot about your personality. A study in England found a very clear correlation between people’s personalities and what type of dogs they owned. For example, people who owned toy dogs tended to be more intelligent, while owners of utility dogs like Dalmatians and bulldogs were the most conscientious. But be careful: Dogs also take on their owners' personality traits, so if you fly off the handle all the time, your pooch may wind up with aggressive tendencies.
10. Do we need to say more?