The Thanksgiving season is about gathering with friends and family and focusing on all of the things we are grateful for. For most dog owners in North America, their dogs are considered part of the family, so Thanksgiving is a perfect time to reflect on all of the reasons we are so lucky to have canine companions in our lives! Dogs keep us happy, they keep us healthy, and they are the best of friends – all things to be thankful for indeed!
We know that seeing an adorable puppy or a proud dog prancing down the street makes us smile, but did you know that it is scientifically proven that dogs actually make people happier? Studies have shown that time spent with dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and even help curb depression. One study, posted in the National Library of Medicine, came to the conclusion that “interacting with a pet dog considerably reduces anxiety and feelings of sadness and improves happiness scores.” In fact, sharing even a few minutes with a dog minimizes anxiety and raises the “feel good” chemicals in our brains that play a huge role in keeping us relaxed and happy. Research indicates that people who have dogs in their lives are less likely to suffer from depression than people without dogs. Those who deal with depression often have a hard time maintaining a healthy routine and relationships; the regular feeding and exercise that dogs require can be the motivator that gets a depressed person out into the world and interacting with people. After all, who can resist a pair of puppy dog eyes pleading for a walk? We should, without a doubt, be thankful for the ways our dogs improve our mental health on a daily basis.
Our canine companions do not just aid our mental wellbeing, they also improve our physical health. Our hearts, and even our lifespans, are boosted by spending time with our four-legged friends. An article in Scientific Reports states that “dog ownership is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and with a reduced risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death in the general population.” Having a dog keeps people more active, and reduces stress and cholesterol levels. Time spent with dogs is proven to suppress stress hormones, as well as lower blood pressure, and heart and respiratory rates. Statistics show that, amazingly, dog parents make fewer visits to the doctor and suffer from fewer minor illnesses than those without dogs! Another study, reported in Time Magazine, found that “dog owners had a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease than people who did not report owning a dog, as well as a lower risk of death from other causes.” Finally, the American Heart Association asserts that “dog ownership [is] associated with a 24% risk reduction for all-cause mortality as compared to non-ownership.” These are some pretty astonishing findings, and one more reason we can be incredibly grateful for the dogs in our lives.
Last, but certainly not least, we should be thankful for our dogs because they are simply the BEST FRIENDS EVER. Our perfect pooches offer us love without judgment, they are always excited to see us, and boy do they make us laugh! While human relationships can be complicated, the love of a dog is the simplest thing in the world. Friends and family can be unreliable and disappoint us, but our dogs’ devotion and affection are unwavering and pure. No one is happier to see us than our dogs; their waggly tails and wiggly, frantic dances when we walk in the door are enough to brighten even the darkest day. Studies show that dogs’ brains respond to pictures of their humans and that different parts of the their brains light up when they smell their owners, in comparison to other humans. Our pups know us and like us the very best! On top of all of the love and admiration we get from our dogs, no one can make us laugh like these crazy canines. Having zoomies around the yard, head-tilting at strange sounds, or making human-like facial expressions, these furry comedians know how to crack us up, and, as we know, laughter is the very best medicine!
While we should be grateful year-round for our canine best friends, Thanksgiving is an extra reason to show them just how much we love and appreciate them for all that they do for us. Whether helping us mentally, keeping us physically fit, or just making us laugh, dogs edify our lives in so many ways, and that’s something to be thankful for!
