Five Benefits of Dog Ownership.

I feel like the list of benefits that my dog brings me personally is endless, but I don’t think it’s time for an hour or two long read, so I’ve picked five of the best reasons to celebrate my dog and dogs overall!!

Tommy, is a chocolate Labrador who came to my partner and I after my mum bought him but had a change in circumstances after a few years with working more than at the point of getting him (she checked we would love him and could take him on before she changed her circumstances).

He’s rowdy and puppyish despite getting older but I wouldn’t change him for the world. I adore his funny, cuddly, excitable personality. Here are my thoughts on some of the benefits;

• Number One - Exercise; we all know the benefits of exercise when physically able and while I don’t recommend overdoing it, our active four legged friends love to get out and about, especially while still fully energetic and adventurous.

I love finding and visiting interesting areas to explore with my dog and he motivates me to explore, even on gloomy days and when I don’t feel my best. It’s also often safer to walk with a furry friend, than alone, depending on certain circumstances.

• Number 2 - Company and socialisation; My partner and I sometimes work on different schedules, so I sometimes find myself alone in the house (human-wise) and speaking from personal experience, that gets lonely sometimes but having a quick cuddle, play or honestly even a chat, with my dog helps!

No, I don’t own one of the Superpets and get an answer back but as I’m doing things around the house, like cooking, speaking out loud about the process helps me think and feeling like I’m telling my dog what I’m doing, helps me to feel more social, than the feeling of just speaking to myself.

Number Three - Discovering new places - as a dog owning couple who like to go to new places, my partner and I love discovering places we can bring Tommy along with us, even more!!

Pubs, hotels, beaches and parks, all have an extra sense of community when dog lovers and their dogs get together and this setting helps develop Tommy’s behaviour in public, which is great for him overall. We end up having conversations about him, to not only other dog owners but other customers and he learns to wait for a pet and sometimes even sneaks a treat from them while they ask about him.

• Number Four - Routine; I used to find routine hard on my days off from work but the time of having Tommy has really helped me understand the importance of a routine, even when I don’t prioritise it for myself.

My partner enjoys a walk with him before and after work and I enjoy getting out in the daytime with him. He eats when we eat, so motives us to have proper mealtimes together and fun activities include packing a bag for him and remembering his things. After years, this has all become second nature and an easy part of our life as a family together.

And Finally (for now), • Number Five - Nothing compares to being responsible for a living being that loves you back!! We aren’t personally thinking about having children just yet and I’m not saying it’s exactly the same, as how could I know?!

However, providing for a dependent, who can and does show appreciation is a wild feeling and it’s something that gives us both such a sense of accomplishment and pride. We love when he runs to the door as we get in from being out or asks to sit and cuddle with us as we watch a movie after work. It’s a magical feeling for which I’ll always be grateful!!

Of course, dog ownership comes with lots of financial, emotional and physical responsibilities and I’m not saying dogs are for everyone, so, of course do research, about different breeds, overall costs and how a dog would fit into your own life, but these are things I find that makes the experience even richer than I imagined before actually being a pet owner!!

Stay safe, give your animals a hug from me, H xx