Picture This:
You're out of work for the day driving home awaiting for the moment you can walk through the door, kick off those shoes, and get into the most comfortable clothing you can find. You're exhausted from a long day of work and all you can think about is relaxing and turning on a good Netflix show. Perhaps kicking back with a nice glass of wine as well!
However, upon opening the door and to your horror, you smell a deathly stench that is the most disgusting, impulsive smell that has ever been in your home. Taking a few steps into the unknown, you begin to see the smearing of literal dog pop all over your carpet, courtesy of the infamous vacuuming Roomba. You are not sure whether to yell or cry. So what the heck happened?!
I will tell you what happened. Lola happened. Our Australian Shepard who had never went in the house prior to this incident due to some house guests feeding her everything imaginable at one of our parties over the weekend. As dog parents, we do not crate our dog because she always knows when and where to go. We believe that she should be able to have free roam of the house when we are away from her during the day. I understand everyone has their own opinion to this matter and they are entitled to that, but that is the decision we had chosen together in our own home.
Trust me when I tell you that it took hours to clean the carpet. Lola knew she was in the wrong with her tail between her legs and eyes asking for forgiveness. We soon forgave her realizing her stomach was very upset and she couldn't possibly hold it in any longer. The kicker of it was that our Roomba used to run at 2 pm every afternoon on the living room carpet. That was the cherry on top that smeared it in across the surface like some piece of artwork.
Moral of the story. We love her unconditionally like dogs in our lives love us the same.
Love is .... owning a dog because as soon as you walk through that door after work, they are there to greet you with the level of excitement you wish you could half achieve. No matter what mood you may be in, dogs truly give us the unconditional love and undivided attention our souls crave. They give us so much while expecting nothing back, besides well.. maybe some delicious treats. We love all the ups and downs of owning a pet and would not trade it for the world because they help make our world so full.
While potty training or accidents are a common downfall to owning a pet (as previously mentioned above), I would love to highlight three key benefits of owning a dog below:
1. Dogs improve your overall health
Research has shown that dogs do in fact improve your overall health levels by increasing your activity through their needs for walks/playtime. Dogs are good for your heart, reduce doctor visits, and battle disease and injury through a dog helping you improve your fitness. I can attest that having a dog increases your overall steps for the day as I monitor them frequently on my Apple Watch. On the days in which I walk Lola, I see a dramatic increase in my mileage. It is also very intriguing to me that there is now research on the idea that owning a dog growing up prevents your grandchildren from having allergies secondary to increasing the exposure to the particles when they are young.
2. Dogs add purpose and meaning to your life
Dogs require work as they are animals who need your responsible love and attention. As taxing as some make it sound to be, it truly gives you a sense of responsibility and purpose to everyday life. There is just something to the concept of having to take care of something else other than yourself and making that more meaningful to your days.
3. Dogs are good for your mental health
Owning a dog helps to assist in reducing stress, anxiety, stave off depression, prevent isolation, and prevent loneliness by providing you with companionship and comfort of their physical touch. In addition, dogs motivate you to get outdoors and improve social life as well. There are many events happening nowadays that are dog owner themed in which a business allows for pets to attend on a special date of the year or month. Take for example, the Bark at the Park for the Detroit Tigers Stadium.
With that note, I would like to counter argue with my top three most common challenges of owning a dog:
1. Dogs are fall and trip hazards
My balance is challenged almost everyday when she gets excited and attempts to run around me to play. Her breed is especially high energy and excitable, therefore she is very active around the house and always in close vicinity to where we are stepping. Dogs are trip hazards and elderly need to take caution around them. I honestly do get nervous when my grandparents come into the house because I know as an occupational therapist, that balance is declines as we age.
2. Dogs are expensive and require advanced planning
If you are a planner, then this is not as much of a concern for you. If you are the spontaneous type of person that likes to leave home on the weekends to different places, think again on owning a dog. Manny and I have to plan on sitters just like it would be when having a child, but of course on a much smaller and easier scale. Dogs also requires vet visits, vaccinations, food supply, toys, grooming appointments, and etc. These all quickly add up and take a chunk from your financial income so be prepared for the extra expenses if getting a dog is in your future plans.
3. Poop
Poop is poop. We all do it as animal beings, but it is quite different when accidents occur in the house, when you have to walk around in the yard to pick the droppings up on a daily/weekly basis, or you accidentally step on it outside. Yuck! Potty training in the beginning is messy and requires patience, but worth it in the end.
Owning a dog is pure joy to my life and that is why Lola helps me truly understand what the meaning of love is in this world. Her cuddles give me comfort and her energy gives me happiness. Her perspective helps me gravitate towards a more simple and easy going life.
In conclusion with my blog article on why Love is ... Owning a Dog, I would like to ask my readers to leave me a comment on your top reasons why you love owning a pet. I also encourage you to introduce your lovable babies to me.
If you feel inspired by this post, please go donate to your local animal shelter or humane society near you to make a difference in all the animals out there still needing a home of LOVE.
With Love and a Paw,
Gabrielle and Lolita Romero
