A Man’s Best Friend: How dogs make a well-rounded person

After having smoothie king accidentally poured down my shirt and girl problems eat my brain, all I wanted to do was scream in my pillow and be alone. Yes, when I got home I tirelessly screamed into my pillow. But, no, I wasn’t alone. There he was, my dog, Louie, there to simmer all my problems away.

And my mood immediately shifted from dark clouds, to sunlight. Louie, somehow, knows the best times to comfort me. His endless snuggles when I’m upset taught me that the even the small moments of love and friendship mean more than the hours of girl drama.

Peyton Moore | The Harbinger Online

Having a dog makes you a well-rounded person. It’s just the facts.  

My small brown and white fluff of a dog has attacked me with love and life lessons since puberty hit. He’s gone through mani-pedis, clip-on bling and many kicking and screaming temper tantrums, but has always stuck by my side to help teach me the power of friendships. Through many barbie doll sharing battles and races around the playground, my dog, Louie, has been through it all and molded me into a more well-rounded person.

From millions of high pitched whimpers only waiting for his mile walk, Louie teaches me patience and collectiveness. He will wait hours and hours just to spot my car pulling into the driveway. Just noticing me lets me know that the littlest things can help lift someone up — even if it’s just messing with Great Aunt Sally by feeding her gross broccoli mac n cheese under the table to him.

They may not slow down for you when they’re running through the neighborhood chasing a squirrel. They may even poop on the floor when you are discussing the latest drama in your friend group. 

The bottom line is that your furry companion snuggles and reveals their puppy eyes to minimize the loneliness and depression caused by every friend group fight and the hours you spend crying over your English argumentative essay.

According to Helpguide.org, touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe you when you’re stressed or anxious. The companionship of a pet can also ease loneliness.

Yes, some people aren’t dog people. Some people like the stress relief of a cat who just sleeps the entire day or some like to watch fish swim around in the same tank — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although other pets can suffice, do you think an alarm-clock-chirping bird will give you more unconditional love than my cuddly, outgoing dog? No, so set the bird free and sleep for once. 

Frankly, I think fish, cats, lizards and snakes are just more expensive versions of a pet rock. No other pet can mentally prepare you for the real world like a dog, especially Louie. 

Not only can little (or big) Louie, Buddy, Milo, or Max can help you talk through the boggling mind of a teenage girl but, they can also teach you to live life positively. 

According to The Washington Post, dog people, are slightly happier than those without any pets. The General Social Survey data show that dog owners, are more likely to be married and own their own homes than cat owners, both factors known to affect happiness and life satisfaction.

I understand that some, including my Cruella De Vil inspired neighbor, may classify themselves as non “pet people”. But her unhappy and grumpy personality really gives me an understanding that pets can change you down no matter who you are — even the Cruella’s of the world. And lastly, to my future boyfriend, if you do not appreciate me as much as my dog appreciates every moment of my presence, we’re over. 

Just before opening the latest box of Girl Scout cookies and turning on Netflix, my yappy thunder rocket rejuvenates my physical health when he makes me walk him around the block — making sure to sniff every pine cone and pee on every tree. 

Helpguide.org explains that most dogs are a great stimulus for healthy exercise, which can substantially boost your mood and ease depression. When I turn the ripe age of 90 I want my strong calcium built bones to have motivation to get up and move, and I know from experience, any dog will make me go out before and after the afternoon bingo match.

So those who are dedicated towards their activity rings on their Apple watch, a dog gifts you with the opportunity for those last hundred steps to close all three rings, plus you get to do it with your best (furry) friend.

But seriously, my dog is not just my best friend but my therapist, four-legged security guard and my biggest cheerleader. By the looks of it, he really should have a million followers by now on his fan account considering he knows more about me than my own mother. 

So next time you’re at the pet store deciding to take a big step for your life and enhance it with a little more excitement, go the dog-route and turn play time into a physics lesson — because that’s what Louie does for me.