My Dog is My Best Friend
Many people consider their dog their best friend. This is why more and more people are deciding to adopt a dog that over time will become a member of the family. Many people do not think of their dog as a “pet”, but rather as a traveling companion.
Also, in many cases, the dog is seen as a source of unconditional love and support, since we feel accepted as we are. Our dog doesn’t care whether we are tall or short, thin or fat. He loves us unconditionally and offers us everything for nothing.
My dog is my best friend
Thinking of a dog as part of the family is a difficult idea for many people to conceive. It is difficult for them to understand that a bond of this dimension can be created with an animal.
A team of scientists from the Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology at Azabu University in Japan have shown that the company of a dog stimulates oxytocin, known as the “love hormone”.
They started from the theory that oxytocin generates this strong bond that is created between parents and children at the biological level. According to experience, simple eye contact between the dog and its owner strengthens their emotional bonds. Thus, the love that we feel for our dogs and that we receive from them has some biological origin.
The benefits of having a dog
Having a dog gives you a feeling of well-being
In line with the previous paragraph, contact with our dog generates an increase in the production of oxytocin, the love hormone. This feeling of love and affection increases the feeling of well-being and happiness. This is why interacting with our four-legged companion is a good antidote for depression.
It alleviates the feeling of loneliness
Having a dog reduces the feeling of loneliness, since you feel accompanied. Our friend is waiting for us when we get home. Indeed, being on the way home knowing that our animal is waiting for us and that he is eager to see us is one of the most enjoyable times of the day for many people.
Emotional support
Our dog gives us emotional support when we are sad, when we leave work and feel stressed or simply when something is worrying us.
For many people, coming home knowing their dog is happily and happily waiting for them alleviates any sadness. This unconditional love they offer alleviates unpleasant emotions.
Having a dog keeps you active
Living with a dog means having to go for a walk, walk every day. Going for a walk increases the rate of exercise by at least 20-30 minutes per day. Likewise, increased physical activity acts as an outlet for stress by relaxing the nervous system.
It should be noted that daily walks with an animal can improve your social life, because during walks you will most likely interact with other people who are walking with their pets.
Having a dog helps prevent disease
A British Medical Journal article shows that more than a third of dogs living with people with diabetes show behavioral changes when their owner’s blood sugar is low, even detecting this change in blood sugar sooner than people do. Dogs can thus help to anticipate certain situations.
Plus, living with a dog makes children less likely to develop allergies during their lifetimes, according to a study from the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy & Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS). This study claims that living with a dog generates some immunity to the development of allergies.
Pain felt after losing a dog
Losing a loved one is a big blow, just like losing your dog can be. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved animal will fully understand the idea we want to convey in these lines. Although here we are focusing on a specific animal, it is possible to create such a strong bond with other animals.
Dealing with the loss of our dog can be very painful, as the journal Perspectives in Psychiatric Care claims . Indeed, the grieving reaction after the death of an animal is comparable to that following the loss of a human family member.
In short, adopting a pet brings many benefits for our health. It is true that the pain associated with their loss is enormous. However, the well-being that emanates from the memories, knowing that we gave her the best life we could give her, makes up for all that pain after the loss.
Our thoughts What is the link between emotions and physical pain? Find out why our body reacts to what we feel.
