Five Reasons Why a Dog Will Change Your Life Forever
No matter who you are, owning a dog is an equal employment opportunity. Dogs are blind to color, ignore religious and sexual preferences and don’t care about age, intelligence or socio-economic levels. Let a dog into your life and it will change your life forever.
Kennel clubs recognize more than 400 different dog breeds and organize types of dogs by breeds and categories such as hunters and working dogs. Most people, however, just know three types of dogs: large dogs, medium dogs and small dogs.
Examples of large dogs consist of German shepherds, Australian shepherd, golden retrievers and rottweilers. These intelligent dogs are often trained as work dogs. They are outside dogs and require room to exercise.
Small dogs include the “toy” dog breeds, aka “lap dogs”. Some breeds in this category are beagles, terriers, Bichon Frise, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas. These dogs stay mostly indoors and like a lot of attention.
Before you make the big change in your life-that is, get a dog-be sure to consider your life style and the dog’s needs. Without thought and planning, those life changes may not be for the better! That’s why you should know five reasons why a dog will change your life forever.
1. A dog forces you to go outside yourself. Like a young child, your dog will depend entirely on you to meet all his needs. To do this you must include him in your thoughts and plans and take responsibility for him. Once you do this, you can never go back to complete self-absorption.
2. Dog ownership creates a lot of changes in your schedules and priorities. You want to sleep in, but your dog wants/needs to go outside. Guess who wins? Owning a dog will add to your budget and might affect relationships.
3. Since dogs need exercise, that means you get it also. Dog owners often lose weight and stay fitter.
4. Dogs create changes in their owner’s personality. They reduce stress and anxiety. They lift depression, increase self-confidence and self-esteem. Those are life-long changes.
5. You will experience unconditional love and loyalty. No human can ever match what dogs give in this category. It’s guaranteed, once you have experienced this kind of love, you will never be the same.
Still want a dog? Go for it. Before you spend big bucks on pedigrees, however, check your local animal rescue shelter. You’ll be glad you did.
Special thanks to my daughter, Mahaylah, for these lovely photos of our dogs. To read more about Mahaylah’s photography skills see our about us section
29 Comments
Patricia
I like your 5 reasons. One of the reasons I got my latest dog after many years of not having one – was for companionship. I also wanted to walk and it seemed weird walking down streets and places by myself. Having a dog gave me a “legit” reason to walk without looking like I was lost or casing the neighborhood.
Once I had a dog I walked a lot more! Also met dog people walking their dogs and made some new friends. It’s easy to start up a conversation with a stranger when you both have a dog that have already made their own introductions.
admin
Hi Patricia,
My German/Australian Shepherd loves to meet other people and dogs, so walking him is a lot of fun. It has helped me get off the couch more to!
Jana Rade
Well, unfortunately my health-challenged girls actually increase anxiety. But I love them anyway.
Lauren Miller
Great post! Dogs definitely change our lives for the better!
Tori
Such a great post and lots of good information! 🙂
Pawesome Cats
Great reasons! Cats also give unconditional love and loyalty – well mine do at least.
Lindsay Pevny
Having a dog really is a wonderful excuse to be outside!
Kelly
Great list! I can totally relate to number 5!
Stacy Mantle
Absolutely true! Dogs (and other species) can make us remember why were here and slow down the craziness of life. It’s a Mutual Rescue!
MattieDog
Really like your reasons – and you will laugh, laugh, laugh, laugh, laugh like you never have before!
Three Chatty Cats
I love this post. #5 is so, so, so true! 🙂
M. K. Clinton
People that have never loved a pet have something missing in their soul that could only be filled with unconditional love
Dusty Desert Dogs
yes! My dogs have changed my life for the better <3
Beth
This is a great list of reasons why dogs are such a wonderful part of our lives.
Tenacious Little Terrier
I definitely exercise a lot more now that we have the pup!
Ruth Epstein
Great list and could not think of my life without Layla
Sarcastic Dog
I would add that, at least in my case, my dogs often create opportunities for social interaction that can be hard to get when you work for yourself like I do. Just getting out on the trails with my dogs often leads to wonderful conversations – hasn’t led to any dates yet but you never know 😉
admin
I would have to agree with you. I also work from home and although I am doing an internship right now for my graduate program I do not get to adult a lot. Having dogs has forced me to have conversations with others at the dog park. I will say though that I tend to be a bit more dog obsessed than some I meet at the dog park lol
Mary E Haight
Yes, dogs will change your life and in such a terrific way you won’t know how you’ve gone through it without them =) Great list!
Maureen
I like your list. I can’t imagine my life without my dogs. I swear they keep me sane.
FiveSibesMom
Five fantastic reasons! Four and five especially!
Cathy Armato
All great reasons, I agree with every one of them! I like that you mentioned adoption as a first option. I always say, there’s a breed specific rescue organization for every breed of dog out there so finding the dog of your dreams is possible through adoption.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
RascalandRocco
So true, I often force myself outside for exercise that I wouldn’t do if max didn’t need to get out and walk.
Robin
Excellent post! I have to say that my life would be very different if it wasn’t for the fact that I grew up with a dog by my side. I loved her with all my heart and she still has a piece of my heart. Cats can change your life too. They just affect different parts of you. Cats teach you that it is okay to be an individual and that true love is a choice, not a compulsion. 🙂
Denise Gruzensky
Great advise! I want to learn to live like them too, loving unconditionally and being so adaptable!! I’m grateful every day for how they’ve changed and added to my life!!
Sadie
I am inspired daily by my dogs. Unfortunately, number one does not apply to some people who merely put their dogs out the back door or tether them. That’s not exercise. Sorry, pet peeve. My life has definitely changed for the better since my dog’s came into it. Great post.
Katie
I agree with all of this! I love my dogs and they have definitely changed my life for the better.
Ava at Savvy Pet Care
Great list and oh, so true. I love my cats but do miss having a dog.
Sweet Purrfections
Great list! I know having my two cats has definitely had a positive impact on my life.