This face is my favorite thing in the whole world to see. I currently have over 8,000 photos stored on my phone, and it is not an exaggeration to say that nearly all of them are of this big furry face. In times of happiness, I seek out this wolfishly grin to share my joy with. In times of sadness, these wide eyes brimming with such warm love and devotion bring me comfort.

While dogs can often be overlooked as a simple pet, it is proven that they play a much more beneficial role in an individual’s life. Besides companionship, dogs provide much needed mental relief in their owners — serving as a type of emotional support. Due to this, dogs have not only functioned as a best friend, but as a type of therapy for humans.

This is Zola. The summer before I turned 14 I visited my mom. On my way out to see her, I had no idea that it would be the trip that most influenced the rest of my life. On July 11th, I noticed that my neighbors had a big pack of puppies playing in their front yard, and of course, being a 14 year old who spent every moment of free time doing something dog related, I had to go see them. The puppies belonged to my neighbor's cousin, who’s golden retriever had escaped and gotten in with some hunting beagles. The product was about 10 fluffy balls of energy. Eventually I ran back home and told my mom she needed to come see something, and dragged her back to the puppies. Long story short, I was told I could pick one out as long as my stepdad was okay with it(which he was), and before I knew it, I’d picked out a little ginger puppy with a curly tail and named her Lady Gorgonzola AKA Zola. Looking back, this wasn’t the most responsible thing for me to do, or for my mom to allow, but it changed my life. For the first three years of her life, Zola wasn’t able to live with me at my dads house, and I was only able to see her on weekends and holidays when I visited my mom. It was hard knowing that Zola wasn’t getting walked as much as I wanted, or getting socialized and given attention the way that I’d want, and I spent those 3 years planning for the day she’d finally be able to live with me. That day finally came during my senior year of high school. The first couple of months that year, I fought endlessly with my mom to convince her I needed Zola and she needed me. There were times when my mom had me convinced she was right; I wasn’t going to be able to take care of Zola properly. Despite my doubts, I kept fighting, and I was finally able to bring her home. After loading her into my car, we stopped at the pet store to buy a bed, food and water bowls, and plenty of toys. That was the first time Zola had ever been in a Pet store(or any store for that matter), and she was completely amazed by the sights and smells. After driving 2 hours, I was able to bring her into a home where she was loved and cared for the way she deserved. Since she had spent so much of her life with very little socialization and training, there was a lot of work to do with her. She had never been to a park, or seen a river, or sat outside a coffee shop with someone and watched the town go by. She had no leash manners and was scared of being around too many people at once, but slowly we built up her confidence and she learned how to navigate life alongside me. This picture was taken on April 14th, 2018, just a few short months after she came to live with me. It was taken on my IPhone 7 camera, with no filters, no HDR, the only editing is rotating the image. It may not seem like a monumental moment, but this was taken after Zola and I walked 1.5 miles from our house to the river, having to navigate not only a fun run that was going on, but also all the owners out letting their dogs enjoy the beautiful day. This was the moment that I realized how much she had improved in just a short period of time, and how much she had changed me for the better. We have helped each other grow into something better, more well rounded, and less scared of the world around us. I would not be where I am or who I am today if I hadn’t chosen that little curly tailed puppy all those years before. Zola is now 6 years old, she is by my side at every possible moment and everyday we are learning and growing together. I will always look back on this picture and feel grateful for all the events that led us to where we are now.

This is the last photograph I took of my beautiful Daisy May in her favorite place on earth, Vermont. I got Daisy from a breeder in Maine, where we lived out most of our lives. I met my now husband online in the Fall of 2015, and I moved to Vermont with Daisy in tow in June of 2016. She LOVED Vermont, almost as much as she loved listening to Reba McEntire on our car rides. She adored my husband from the start, and would rather cuddle up with him than me. My husband and I moved back to Maine in August of 2016...not the choice I really wanted, but he wanted to get out of Vermont. Every trip to see his folks we brought Daisy along, and all you had to say was, “Daisy wanna go to Vermont?” And that nine-year-old dog would become a puppy again. She would have this big grin all over her face the entire ride up there, and when it came time to go back to Maine she would hide behind my in-laws couch because she wanted to stay there. A couple months after this picture, Daisy jumped off the bed and started walking like she was drunk. I figured she had hurt her back or her hips. She had been fine all day. Daisy went outside and laid down in a snowbank, and refused to get up. My husband scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the car. We rushed her to the emergency clinic, and she laid down on their floor and refused to get up. They brought a cart out and we lifted her up onto the cart. My husband and I were brought into a room to give the history of why she was there. Daisy was wheeled out back of the clinic. A few minutes later a veterinarian came in and showed me a syringe full of blood and said that her spleen had a tumor on it that burst and she was internally bleeding. The veterinarian recommended euthanasia, because they could do surgery and blood transfusions and chemo, but she could be right back to where she is now in three months. I agreed with the veterinarian. Daisy has been too good of a dog to me over the years, and had helped me through some of the darkest times of my life. I couldn’t let her suffer another minute. They brought us into a dimly lit room, and my husband and I sat on the floor with Daisy as the veterinarian administered the euthanasia solution. The last thing my beautiful Saisy May heard was me telling her to go to Vermont and be with her chickens that she loved so much. As soon as I said that I watched her peacefully take her last breath. My husband and I were devestated...she was our baby, and she was fine all day. Then at 5pm we are sitting on a vet clinic floor crying and saying goodbye to the most beautiful soul anyone could ever wish entered their life. RIP Daisy May 12/28/2008-11/23/2018❤️❤️❤️

So ; over the last few years my days have consisted of going to work and taking my bestfriend to work who lives with me as well as my usual extra curricular activities during my time off . Pushing further back in time , I had a Yorkie pup and his name was Blu , I had a deep man’s bestfriend relationship with him immediately because he was to rough for his previous home so I was the exact playmate he needed . A solid year passes by and Blu has his first birthday with us and also moved into the new house that myself and my mom could finally call home for a long time til present day which is about 3 years now . One hot ass day came over us and Blu ends up goin on an exploration somehow after I scolded him for running in the street and put him in the garage to go inside ; I left for 10 minutes and come back to find him missing . I search , I drove , I yelled and cried because my bestfriend was gone and I didn’t really know how to deal with it because I didn’t even know how I lost him . Heartbroken and torn I just look at all his birthday toys he didn’t get to play with and the bear he was given to hump to his hearts content and I almost lost it every time but I had to keep pushing . A year or so passes and in the midst of taking my bestie to work we see a sign reading “shitzu puppies for sale” and even more so we see them through a opening into the backyard and we melted ! One day we give the door a knock ...and another knock ...and another just to receive no answer . I drive by this sign every day of the week taking her to work so it’s burning inside that these people were keeping us from our happiness (LOL) . Coming home from picking her up we see the group of seniors sitting outside the home peeling shrimp and I don’t even think to stop because I’m still hurt they didn’t answer the first time but the sign was still up so Joy (Bestie) says “hey let’s go over there” I look sideways but I don’t disagree and hit the turn around and park along side the road . We walk uphill to flies and A horrid shellfish smell but keep our friendly composure and greet them and ask simply about the puppies . “ We only got one left” he said “ we growing attached to her so I’m not sure if we wanna let her go “. I looked at him sideways and understanding but pissed cause you people didn’t answer the door 2 weeks ago 🙄 . Next thing i know , the older women of the house came outside with a adorable little black and white dog that literally put my heart in my stomach . She brought her to me and joy and I fell so in love with her I couldn’t stand it . She sat by my feet and looked up at me like she knew who her new dad was already and I told them I want her in my life NEOW!! He gave me a reduced price and agreed to take down the sign and wait for us first thing Friday morning (pay day ) . Friday comes I grab the money and go get the new piece of my heart to come home with us . She Is raised in two homes with me and with joy’s family when we both work and even our homies dog sit ( she only trusts people that she knew as a puppy) seeing anybody that helped raised her used to send her in a pee pee frenzy but with time and growth (and serious house training ) Kiely learned her name and how to hold that bladder . This story could go on and on but the whole idea of it was to say this dog filled something inside me I never thought I would have again since I lost Blu . She sleeps with me every night behind my knees or on my chest or even above my head and when I go to work she’s work momma joy . She’s never on a leash because she hates them with a passion , if you smile and call her name she’ll leap into your arms damsel style and just roll over for a belly rub like she does every time we come home . Kiely has been the cutest thing to every happen to our lives and it feels really good when someone is ALWAYS happy to see you even when you just wake up . Her little ass is waiting to pounce on me or Joy to wake up and love her and that’s what I’m about to get back to doing now while she sitting here staring at my type about how great she is . I love you Kiely . Thanks for piecing me back together . Your the best dog in the universe . And You too Blu . Wherever you are I hope you are safe , happy and loved .

Growing older can cause loneliness, isolation, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart problems or diseases, higher stress, brain changes, faster cognitive decline, decreased memory, and a higher chance of drug abuse. As we grow older, how do we combat this? From 1998 to 2019 the number of people in the United States owning a dog went up 56%. The American Pet Products Association reported that 63.4 million households in the United States own dogs, according to their National Pet Owners Survey. Other than their obvious popularity and cute factor, owning a dog can benefit older adults in many ways.

Have you ever been walking down the street , minding your own business, when suddenly, out of nowhere, an actual ray of sunshine crosses your path? The feeling is unparalleled. The unbridled excitement that you're met with when interacting with a dog is enough to melt anyone's heart. Big or small, dogs are balls of positive energy and even I, a self-proclaimed "cat person" can't help but perk up when I'm visited by one of these Earth-bound angles.

This photo was taken on a fresh, after-the-snow day on February 4, 2020. My Siberian Husky endures a pose, as she patiently and curiously waits to be taken for a daily walk. No HDR was used, I was inspired to capture this shot because my Husky is in her natural habitat and looks so good in the snow, she also loves the snow, she loves playing in it and eating it too. My intention was to get a cute photo of her like this and it worked. She thoroughly enjoys a good snow day and if I could one day submit a video of how she reacts to it, the energy and fun of it could be felt. This Husky lets me know when she’s hungry, thirsty, and also when she wants to go for a walk. She’ll insist and persist until she gets what she wants and needs. She’s full of personality and attitude, and huskies are known for being comedians, so to capture any photo of my dog is a story in itself. My Siberian Husky is entertaining and funny to watch and even see through a photo, she could start her own television show. It’d be a whole lot better if she had a pack of other huskies to interact with as well. I’m also inspired to share a picture of my Siberian Husky because I know that the majority of people think Huskies are beautiful to look at and hilarious dogs to be around. My particular Siberian Husky loves people, likes smaller dogs, but doesn’t know how to respond too much to bigger dogs. She has a friend who is a bunny, she’s known that bunny for about 4 years and never preys on her, they share the same house and lurk around the house as they please…well, the bunny is limited to the master bedroom of my parents, while Shiloh my Siberian Husky, owns the whole home. This shot tells the story of one of the most lovable pets a person can have, that even they, have patience, excitement, and a will to be persistent and demanding, but all in a good way! A dog is known as mankind’s best friend, and this dog is loyal and always a happy to see you when you get home, and loving, comforting and caring when you’re not feeling so good. It tells the story that a Siberian Husky is just like having a two-year-old, except in this case, these dogs remain in their terrible twos forever. Huskies can also be mellow, let’s just say they’re the perfect balance of what makes a pet the best of all of its kind. This photo was taken with an iPhone 8 at 5:37 pm, as soon as I got back from working at a cold Amazon warehouse, I let my dog out to use the bathroom, but she was anxious to go for a walk she couldn’t hardly wait. Unfortunately, though, I wasn’t able to take her for a walk that day, but I’ll make it up to her by taking her for a 2 hour walk once again soon. This photo also captures the typical “puppy dog eyes”, so cute and innocent, it could melt the hearts of many. This is a picture of my dog, Shiloh the Siberian Husky, she will be six years old on July 4, 2020, she was born that midnight (04-04-13) in 2013 from the Christopher’s Husky Ranch in Alabama. I’m always inspired to snap photos of this goofy dog, she’s the real Goofy! One time she sneezed and said “woof!” at the same time. She’s a silly little four-legged creature. Shiloh, the Siberian Husky, who has many nicknames including “Beary”, looks up at me, saying, “Are you gonna take me for a walk? Please take me for one.”

Dogs are some of the best pets you could own. They are great for cheering you up when you are down, keeping you company when you are lonely and snuggling with you on cold winter nights. Of course, you want your dog to live a long and healthy life. While the average lifespan of your dog will depend on the breed, there are several things you can do to help keep your dog healthy for years to come.