National Dog Month
It’s August, and that means it’s National Dog Month! I’ve had my dog Presley Harrison for five years now. He is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Dogs have been serving humans as healers, seers, and workers for centuries. Since it's National Dog Month, I wanted to talk about some of the amazing benefits of owning a dog. Dog lovers and those who are curious about dogs, read on!
Makes exercise more fun - Exercise is important because it’s extremely beneficial for your health. But sometimes, you may not feel motivated to exercise all by yourself. A dog makes exercising a lot more enjoyable! When you walk your dog or run around and play with him/her, the interactions between you and your dog create a lively atmosphere. Exercising with your dog will make you healthier and happier at the same time.
Better health for you - Taking care of a dog can help you take better care of yourself. When you think about keeping your dog clean, well-fed, happy, and healthy, you naturally become more aware of your own health. Caring for a dog requires a high amount of responsibility, and that makes you become a more responsible, organized, and careful person.
Helping the sick and disabled - Therapy dogs can bring emotional healing to patients in hospitals. Hospitalized people often struggle with pain, anxiety, and hopelessness. Therapy dogs give patients an opportunity to have a loveable furry creature to hold and play with, cheering them up in the middle of their difficult situation. And of course, guide dogs play an enormous role in helping the blind do a variety of activities.
A loyal friend - There’s a reason that dogs are known as “man’s best friend.” They are loyal and affectionate, and you can feel that they love you as much as you love them. Dogs are comforting companions when you’re feeling sad or alone. Pet Assure says it well: “Unlike humans, pets always return affection unconditionally. They do not hold grudges, or question motives or have selfish reasons for interacting with us.” Bonus points for being the perfect friend to confide in -- they can’t talk and spread your secrets!
Laughter and happiness - This is the best reason: Dogs are just plain fun. They are full of energy, and they love to play with various objects in unexpected ways that make us laugh. After all, why do you think there are so many funny dog memes on the internet? The world would be so much more boring without dogs to brighten up our lives. They make us smile, and we can’t help but love all the silly things they do.
Do you have a dog? If so, be grateful for all the wonderful ways your dog brightens up your life. I’m certainly grateful for my dog! Want to hear the story of how I met Presley? Listen to this episode of the Stress Free Soulutions podcast!
