Pet Benefits: What Are the Benefits of Owning a Dog?
Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
"Did the guy give us the sick one of the two puppies?"
We picked him up in December. He was about a month old. We had barely driven a couple of blocks when the puppy began to drool and drivel. He looked so pathetic. Worse, he started throwing up all over the car, giving us stinky ride home. I was beginning to have my doubts.
Daneto, my 16-year-old was certain we got the right dog for her...for our family. When we arrived home, the poor guy dabbled into a corner of the kitchen, drooped onto the floor, and dozed off. I kept looking just to be sure he was still breathing...not dead yet.
Three months later, every one in our family can't get enough of Mattie, who has become this handsome, attractive charm of a doggie. He's so cute. This photo doesn't serve him well...
1. Playfulness: He keeps us playful. We chase him. He chases us. We fall to the floor with him. He makes weird sounds. We stroke his black, lushly fur. Such a calming effect... Stress relief therapy minus the invoice.
2. Cheerfulness: Mattie makes it easy for us to keep laughing...a lot. That's free health care, by the way, because laughter can be as effective as medicine, without the side effects.
3. Significance: He makes us feel important, when he begs us for food. He makes us feel special, when he welcomes us with repeated tail salutes. It's similar to how those other guys announce the arrival of a dignitary. With Mattie, upon coming home, each family feels like he/she belongs.
4. Authority / In Charge: He gives us one individual that everyone in the family can boss around. Even our little girl orders Mattie around, and he doesn't talk back, though he may not bulge sometimes, as in "Come, make me do it."
5. Intelligence: He makes us look feel smart, most of the time. Well, for one thing, he can't talk like us. And he'll never be able to read, write, and drive.
6. Security: With our canine cop marking out the boundary lines of his territory with bouts of barks, we feel kind of safe. He's not as little as we first thought he'd be. Intruders, watch out. Mattie might greet you with the wrong hand. And this four-legged security system is easier on our budget than APX, ADT, or Broadview Security.
7. Exercise: Mattie makes it easy for us to exercise. It's as simple as taking Mattie for a walk. That's a healthy thing too, and who knows how many quality years walking the dog will add to our lives?
8. Family Entertainment / Family Unity : Mattie has become our family bond. It is amazing how our family has come together around the little furry fella. He gets us talking to one another more, playing together more, sharing laughter more often, etc. As he does his crazy and special things, like chasing himself around the living room, climbing on and off the sofas, he doesn't even realize that his free family entertainment continues to unify my wife and me, not to mention that he's bringing our kids together too. What a family glue this puppy is!
Yes, we are fully aware of the responsibilities and inconveniences of owning a dog. Keeping him wormed. Visits to the vet. A cost-effective place to leave him when we go for vacation. We can't stay long out of the house when doggie is home alone. But with all the benefits, we don't mind the cost. Not yet. (I think the arrangement is benefiting Mattie too; he has his own way of letting us know that he loves this family.)
We picked him up in December. He was about a month old. We had barely driven a couple of blocks when the puppy began to drool and drivel. He looked so pathetic. Worse, he started throwing up all over the car, giving us stinky ride home. I was beginning to have my doubts.
Daneto, my 16-year-old was certain we got the right dog for her...for our family. When we arrived home, the poor guy dabbled into a corner of the kitchen, drooped onto the floor, and dozed off. I kept looking just to be sure he was still breathing...not dead yet.
1. Playfulness: He keeps us playful. We chase him. He chases us. We fall to the floor with him. He makes weird sounds. We stroke his black, lushly fur. Such a calming effect... Stress relief therapy minus the invoice.
2. Cheerfulness: Mattie makes it easy for us to keep laughing...a lot. That's free health care, by the way, because laughter can be as effective as medicine, without the side effects.
3. Significance: He makes us feel important, when he begs us for food. He makes us feel special, when he welcomes us with repeated tail salutes. It's similar to how those other guys announce the arrival of a dignitary. With Mattie, upon coming home, each family feels like he/she belongs.
4. Authority / In Charge: He gives us one individual that everyone in the family can boss around. Even our little girl orders Mattie around, and he doesn't talk back, though he may not bulge sometimes, as in "Come, make me do it."
5. Intelligence: He makes us look feel smart, most of the time. Well, for one thing, he can't talk like us. And he'll never be able to read, write, and drive.
6. Security: With our canine cop marking out the boundary lines of his territory with bouts of barks, we feel kind of safe. He's not as little as we first thought he'd be. Intruders, watch out. Mattie might greet you with the wrong hand. And this four-legged security system is easier on our budget than APX, ADT, or Broadview Security.
7. Exercise: Mattie makes it easy for us to exercise. It's as simple as taking Mattie for a walk. That's a healthy thing too, and who knows how many quality years walking the dog will add to our lives?
8. Family Entertainment / Family Unity : Mattie has become our family bond. It is amazing how our family has come together around the little furry fella. He gets us talking to one another more, playing together more, sharing laughter more often, etc. As he does his crazy and special things, like chasing himself around the living room, climbing on and off the sofas, he doesn't even realize that his free family entertainment continues to unify my wife and me, not to mention that he's bringing our kids together too. What a family glue this puppy is!
Yes, we are fully aware of the responsibilities and inconveniences of owning a dog. Keeping him wormed. Visits to the vet. A cost-effective place to leave him when we go for vacation. We can't stay long out of the house when doggie is home alone. But with all the benefits, we don't mind the cost. Not yet. (I think the arrangement is benefiting Mattie too; he has his own way of letting us know that he loves this family.)
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Wow i think these are some interesting information for people who don't like their pets or want to get one! :)Indeed, HyunSoung. We were not sure we were ready for a dog again, but we're glad we brought Mattie home. ~mogama~
Hi Mogama, Gorgeous Dog indeed! I have a great arrangement for dog sitting. I share ownership with another family. We take the 2 dogs when they will be away and vice versa. We share food costs and vet visits and the dogs have a great time at both homes. They have kids and we don't ; they have a fenced yard but we take them for long walks so they can catch up on their "p-mail". They get treats and extra grooming at our place. You have to use the same training catch words like "cookie" vs "treat" and "potty" vs "walk". You also have to trust the other owner but it really is a satisfying situation especially for the dogs. It also saves on the high cost of pet ownership and boarding. The dogs have plenty of love to go around and it keeps them from being bored, yet they know what to expect at each home!Wow, Elizabeth... This is very valuable practice. I will share your comment with my wife, daughter and son. In fact, we know the family that owns our dog's sibling. They visited us once, and both puppies really had a ball. I can see how sharing homes like this can be a winner for us all, especially the cost of boarding when we travel. Thanks so much for sharing your experience here. ~mogama~
Hi Mogama,I couldn't agree with you more. Our canine Twilight benefits us in more ways than we could write about.Love, hugs and blessings to you and yours,MichelleYes, Michelle. "Love, hugs and blessings..." Good to know you're a dog owner yourself. ~mogama~
Great article, loved it. I champion anyone who champions dogs. They treat us like Gods as they have such complete, unquestioning faith in us. They are a lot cleverer than was supposed. One European Border collie knows 300 different toy names. They can tell when to are going to have a fit, have a 'hypo' if you are diabetic and can sniff out melanoma. They improve recovery rates after Myocardial infarction and reduce hypertension.Science has recently discovered that petting a dog produces an increase in the hormone Oxytocin which is the bonding, calming, feel good hormone produced during breast feeding and other activities I shall not mention. They rehabilitate prisoners and get your washing out of the machine if you are disabled, not to mention catching baddies and sniffing out bombs.My border collie cleans any cuts, licks away tears and tries to dry my legs as I get out of the shower. I think that they could be a rather noisy, messy type of angel.My other girl, Penny, however, raids bins and eats my pyjamas, horse poo and worse. I love her just as much of course. I am sure your boy would not dare behave in such a manor.Make sure you tune into Cesar Milan.Give him a hug from me,Carol, Penny and Millie.Thank you so much, Carol, for sharing all that helpful information about the many ways man's best friend continues to help the human race. Enjoy your canines. ~mogama~
Nicely done. My two dogs would take exception to your statement they can't read or write, since they believe they are the smartest dogs on the planet. I constantly remind them otherwise, as when they decide on a whim to invade the trash can. Still, both dogs are loving and playful and although they often drive me crazy, I wouldn't have it any other way."My two dogs would take exception to your statement they can't read or write..." Yes, Michael, you are crazy about your dogs. I wouldn't argue with them or you. Enjoy-:) ~mogama~
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