Do dogs make us happy?
This side of 60
Marie Snider
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Last Saturday, we had a very special guest.
She stayed four hours and we had little conversation, but still it was a lot of fun.
I didn’t make coffee or tea. Instead, I served delicious dog cookies, because our guest Paris was a dog.
My daughter, who lives next door, had a coffee with three of her high school friends — Elizabeth, Rhonda and Kris. Elizabeth adopted Paris from the local humane society at the same time we adopted our dogs.
After our wonderful white dog Phoebe died, my daughter visited the humane society the very next day. She was completely taken with a litter of five-month-old puppies — Paris, Carmen and Nina.
We adopted Carmen (now Amber) and Nina, and Elizabeth took Paris. The dogs are lucky to have such wonderful homes. But the people are luckier!
After four hours, Paris was delighted to see Elizabeth and her tail wagged in greeting. The two have obviously bonded.
That’s the way it is with dogs. You always feel greatly appreciated.
In his book “100 Simple Secrets Why Dogs Make Us Happy,” psychologist David Niven states, “Dogs do not ask us why we didn’t get a promotion. They don’t ask us why we don’t have a bigger house or a new car. They don’t ask for anything superficial.”
They just take us as we are and gladly wag their tails when we come home. No wonder people who have dogs live happier and live longer — an average of three years longer than those who do not have dogs.
The increased longevity is only one of the facts in Niven’s book. Niven has collected data from many of the best scientific studies on the relationship between people and their dog friends.
In 100 very short chapters he reminds us succinctly why dogs make us happy.
Dogs Learn Words, says Niven. Every dog lover knows that, of course. Our dogs’ favorite words are “treats,” “walk,” “out,” “run with Ruthie and Phoebe,” and of course “run with Paris.”
But we’re all puzzled about one word Amber and Nina both seem to know. Every time the word “tomorrow” comes in conversation, they both stand at attention, with ears held high and tails wagging vigorously. Unfortunately, we’ll probably never know exactly what “tomorrow” means to them!
Dog owners are 14 percent more likely to be optimistic about their day than people who don’t make dogs a part of their lives, reports Niven. And they are 35 percent less likely to say that they feel unneeded.
As for health, research shows that dog owners go to doctors less frequently, have a better survival rate after a heart attack and have lower blood pressure.
Dogs Fit All Ages, says Niven. “Our lives are transitory: most everything we enjoyed when we were five is no longer of interest to us when we are eighty-five.”
As we age, sometimes we must live in places where we are not allowed to own pets. But there are still ways to connect with dogs. Visit with the resident therapy dog, or ask friends and their dogs to stop by while out walking.
It will do you good to make room in your life for dog friends.
- Write Marie Snider at thisside60@aol.com or visit her website at www.visit-snider.com
jayhawker (anonymous) says...
There is a reason that we regard dogs to be man's best friend. They improve our lives in so many ways. I like to look at it from their point of view, which is difficult because they are so honest and simple, unlike us. My guess is that they regard us as great hunters who go off to that greatest of all hunting grounds, called a grocery store, and come back with the best game possible. Associating with such great hunters is a good deal for them, as they see it. What is definitely a fact, though, is that mankind gets the best end of the deal. Thank God for dogs.
February 23, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Church_of_doG (anonymous) says...
Ditto Jayhawker........Thank goD for Dogs.
I like to think my dogs have saved my life many times. When depression & thoughts of uselessness try to take over..... it's not my life I care about. It's the thought of what would happen to my dogs that brings me back to reality. I can't let them down. They depend on me to love, care & feed them, in return giving me a reason to get out of bed every day. I get through the day job knowing they'll be glad to see me home again. They are my life, my love, my passion.
The shelter is currently overflowing with owner surrendered pets because of tyson. Anybody looking for a new companion, please check the shelter. Don't support the puppymills. Every dog purchased from a breeder means another one dies at a shelter from the lack of enough homes.
February 24, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
pets are great, they dont ask for much in life, just meals, walks, and table scrapes ( my dog thinks the scrapes are supposed to be for him) we adopted a dog from the shelter alittle over three years ago and we took in a stray a couple months ago, they are alot of company. the big dog gives a sense of security, cause he barks when someone comes to the door. pets are cheap too, just buy the food, a couple toys and leashes a year and give them shots once a year and thats all they need.
February 24, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )