This time of year, you’re probably thinking about what you’re thankful for. It’s safe to say that for a lot of us, our pets are pretty high up there on the list. We know we love our dogs, and they love us back, but just what is it about them that makes them such amazing companions? Here are 5 great reasons that we’re thankful for our dogs this (and every) year!
1. They Make us Healthier
Next time Karen At Work tells you “it’s just a dog” after you’ve shown her ANOTHER picture of your adorable puppy, you can refute her with science. Petting a dog or cat has been proven to lower blood pressure, and owning a dog in general makes you a more active person, reducing your chance of heart disease. Dog owners are also said to be generally happier, more trusting, and less lonely than people who do not own a dog. But you already knew that, didn’t you?
2. They Forge Friendships
Aside from just being your best friend, your dog can also help you create friendships with other people. If you have a dog, you’ve probably experienced this firsthand- puppy playdates or group hikes not only provide an outlet for your dog’s energy, but allow you to connect with other dog lovers! Dogs just seem to have a special way of bringing people together.
3. Unconditional Love
Okay, this is probably a pretty obvious one. But at the end of the day, who doesn’t want to come home to someone who will jump for joy even if you messed up that report, or if you were late to dinner? In fact, Scientists have shown that dogs love us in the same way we love them by scanning their brains in an MRI machine. So yet again, science is on our side when it comes to the fact that dogs are amazing.
4. They Keep Our Secrets
Everyone has had that friend (or several friends) that can’t keep a secret. When it can feel hard to confess to anybody, dogs have our backs again. All the secrets, all the times you’ve enthusiastically sung and clapped along to the Friends theme song, and all the times you’ve ordered UberEats even though you have a million groceries in your fridge- your dog won’t tell a soul.
5. They Make Us Laugh
It doesn’t matter how sad you are- your dog can make you feel better. Somehow, they seem to be able to tell when we need a cheering up, and they take it into their own hands- uh, paws- to do so. Every dog has their own method of doing it- but whether they’re the type to nuzzle up into your arms, bring you their favorite toy, or simply act like a goof, it always works!
It’s a lesson that bears repeating- we need dogs just as much as they need us. At Pet Faves, dogs are #1 on the list of things we’re thankful for this year.