“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
– Roger Caras
Throughout each and every stage of our lives, those of us who love dogs recognize the many amazing benefits derived from living with “man’s best friend.”
We will attest to the fact that our four-legged friends are always there for us, and by our side, both literally and figuratively, through the best and worst of times, and all those times in between. They keep no scorecard, bear no grudges, love unconditionally, and are nonjudgmental.
Our dogs entertain us with their amusing antics, and on many occasions, calm and console us when we might be feeling a bit blue or stressed out.
These canine family members are always more than happy to lift our spirits and help clear our minds, by nudging us to go outdoors and move away from our technological devices, thereby providing a sense of balance in this sometimes stressful and topsy-turvy world within which we live. By helping us to re-establish our priorities and unclutter our heads, as we steal a few moments together to walk, play, and exhale at the end of a long day, we many times discover a whole new perspective on whatever it is that ails us as we soak up some sunshine, with that all important, mood improving Vitamin D.
It is at this point that we truly begin to understand, and acknowledge, each professional, valid and reliable study, which has proven time and again, that these simple interactions with our dogs truly make us feel better as our sense of well-being, which had evaded us for a while, begins to return. And, “When the world is going crazy, and I am losing faith in humanity, I just have to take one look at my dog to know that good still exists.”
If we allow them to do so, and because they too are social animals, our canine partners also help keep us engaged socially as they bring us outside our homes and workplaces.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people our fun loving Labs have brought into our lives – whether it is due to our daily walks, during our group training classes, or through the many dog friendly venues we share with others who also enjoy spending time with their dogs.
I know for a fact that many of the impromptu and pleasant conversations my husband and I have had with complete strangers when we are out and about with our crew would never have occurred had our canine kids not been with us. These three hooligans have given a whole new meaning to the term, “facetime”; and they will accept nothing less than the real thing. No Facebook or Twitter or Skyping for them!
Our dogs not only help us engage socially with new people, but also keep us much more physically fit and active than we would ever be without them. And for me personally, they have opened up a whole new chapter of heart healthy, aerobic exercise, especially since I’ve never really enjoyed the more traditional indoor fitness programs I probably should be doing! So instead, and because we have three active Labs, my husband and I are now outside on a daily basis walking, climbing hills, hiking the town forests, and zipping along the shoreline while our hooligans play with other dogs and fetch bumpers in the surf.
On warm summer days we now find ourselves, if not actually swimming together with our dogs in local lakes and ponds, then at least wading in, or paddling out, to fetch an errant bumper lost in the weeds or snagged on the branch of a tree. And we have even begun to snowshoe during our long New Hampshire winters, as well as experiencing a variety of seasonal expeditions to many dog friendly venues we would never have ventured to if we had no dogs in our lives.
Of course, and in the spirit of true transparency, I do have to admit there are some days, especially when the weather is horrid, when I would much prefer to curl up on the couch with a good book than go outside and brave the elements. But because we live in the Northeast, we are not afforded the luxury of full hibernation during any of the variable and ever-changing seasons. Therefore, we put on our seasonal armor, whether it be bug hats, rainwear, swimwear, insect repellant and sunscreen, orange vests, or layers of warm clothing, and get outside each and every day, even if only for a relatively short period of time. We might never actually “sing or dance in the rain” with our dogs, but we have certainly hiked in it – and more often than not, feel much better for having done so.
Besides the physical, social, and emotional benefits derived from owning a dog, there are many cognitive and intellectual benefits to be gained as well. These savvy pooches keep our brains in mint condition as we read about animal behavior, training and intelligence. In our spare time, we also gobble up books in which the main character is, more often than not, a dog.
And when those of us who are seniors begin to implement the techniques we have learned in training classes as we strive to develop a more community friendly canine, or begin to participate in the many diverse team activities for us and our dogs, it is not just the dogs who are learning. Each new training class my “best buds” and I have taken together, disproves time and again the outdated adage that, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
It is because of this ever evolving bond between our two species, and the many roles dogs play in our lives, that they have earned the well-deserved title of “man’s best friend,” because dogs absolutely make our lives richer and fuller. And if one pays attention to these family pets and their behaviors, like young children, our dogs can teach us to live in the present, so that we might better enjoy, pay attention to, and appreciate those fleeting moments and simple pleasures we as adults too often miss.
Amazingly, all dogs ask for in return is food, water, exercise, a safe environment, a place to sleep, and a good person to care for them. So little considering how much is given.
And as Roger Caras said, “Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.”
That’s a sentiment with which it is difficult to disagree as we imagine, if we can, what life was like before these loving canines entered our lives.
Deborah McGrath lives in Francestown.