Just think of me as your "deer" friend!

Do you know that 57% of American households own at least one pet (American Veterinary Medical Association)?

We certainly spend a lot of time as well as money on our canine, feline, avian, reptilian and other animal housemates! So, is this all worth it? Well, if you ask most pet owners, they would definitely say “yes.”  However, they barely understand all of the benefits they are getting from co-habitating with non humans!

Since dogs (bark, bark) are the most common household pet, let’s focus on their impact on our lives.  Their roles can include:

• Personal trainer:  they get us up and out walking for our pleasure or, perhaps, to throw a ball
• Therapist:  they serve as someone with whom to talk through our problems
• Stress reducer:  they help us focus on things other than our current worries
• The perfect companion:  someone who will always agree with your opinion and who won’t talk back
• Social “ice breaker”:  think of the times a cute pooch has helped gain the attention of someone you wanted to meet
• Body warmer:  great for all of those cold nights
• Floor cleaner:  your home is always free of crumbs under foot
• Life extender:  people with pets live longer

For all of these reasons and many more, I recommend a dog in your life. Most of the time this is one relationship that will always give you back more than you ever could imagine!