This past Cinco De Mayo, while many people around the country found cause to celebrate with tacos and tequila, I had a different reason to. My Golden Retriever dog, Ginger, celebrated her 13th birthday on May 5, 2015. My family adopted Ginger when I was just five years old, and though I'm sure any dog-owner could try to lay claim to this title, Ginger has been undoubtedly and unwaveringly the world's best dog over the course of my life. Lately, however, she has faced a new challenge: her body has been slowly but surely deteriorating, giving way to old age and slowing her down considerably. Now, almost completely blind and unable to run (on some days not even able to stand up) and play like she used to, watching her deal with her unfaithful body as it inevitably withers away, while her soul and spirit still remain youthful and alive, has been heartbreaking to witness.
However, when I think about my time with my pup and all of the joy she has brought to my life as well as my family's, I am overwhelmed with love for this sweet animal as well as happiness that she has been allowed to live such a long, full life on this planet (the average life expectancy for the average Golden Retriever is 11 years). Recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking about what pets I will want over the course of my life and what pet my family might own one day; it has not taken long for me to realize that while I love all animals, the only pet I could ever consider owning again will be another furry canine friend (sorry cat people). Here are 10 reasons I am and will always be a loyal dog person (and if you're not, you should be too):
1. Dogs will never make you feel alone (or leave you alone).
Dog people will agree that if you have or have ever had a dog, they are not usually the type of animal to not want constant attention. This is great for people who live alone or simply like constant company. In my experience, dogs love nothing more than being around their human friends. Dogs will annoy and pester the love right out of you if they have to.
2. Dogs consciously miss you when you're gone.
Have you ever gone on a long trip or come home from school to your dog, who at first sight of you acts like it's Christmas morning? Their tail is wagging so hard it looks like it might fly off and they just might break everything in the house with all of their antics, jumping and running around? If you are ever feeling homesick, seeing your dog see you just might be the best medicine.
3. Dogs are great lunch (and breakfast, and dinner, and snack) companions.
Let's face it: the one thing your dog might love more than you is food. Dogs are notorious beggars and seem to have a sixth sense for knowing whenever human food is nearby, and they'd love to share your meal with you. They will stop at nothing to get the human food.
4. Dogs can help motivate and inspire physical fitness:
Dogs love staying active, whether it be running, walking, fetching, swimming; you name it! Dogs seem to have boundless energy at all times, which may inspire (or force) their human counterparts to engage in these activities with them, which influences better physical fitness and well-being by enabling an active lifestyle. Running isn't so bad when you have a cute partner who's willing to stay by your side.
5. Dogs can help keep you safe.
Some dogs have been known to protect their owners from outside intruders, fires, and even help them with their own physical conditions and ailments (i.e. guide and disability dogs). Dogs have been known to sense danger and do anything in their power to keep their beloved humans safe.
6. Dogs are proven stress relievers.
At many universities across the country, including mine, organizations bring dogs to campuses during stressful times, like finals weeks, to provide a safe and healthy alternative stress reliever to students, if only for a few minutes. It is proven that just petting a dog for five minutes can reduce blood pressure and lower stress levels. Dogs are also been known to help in therapy and other stress-reducing situations.
7. Even when they mess up, you can't stay mad at them for long.
Ever have your dog destroy or break something and get really angry, only to find that they seem to know you'd be angry and show genuine remorse about the incident they knowingly perpetrated? Whenever my dog knew she did something wrong, she'd lay down on the site and look away, like if she couldn't see it; as if the mess wasn't really there and she didn't' really do anything wrong. It wasn't easy to stay mad for long.
8. Dogs are cute, even when they're ugly.
Admittedly, there are some ugly mutts out there, but even at their ugliest, all dogs are still cute. Dogs seem to have an innate, irresistible quality that make even the ugliest ones lovable (sometimes the ugliest are even the most lovable!).
9. Dogs are the most loyal lifelong friends.
You can cuddle with them when you're sad, tell them your secrets, enjoy guilty pleasures with them (like watching Sex and the City while eating an entire pint of ice cream), and they will never love you any less. They'll stick with you through any hardship, lick your tears away, and seem to understand and know when you need them around the most.
10. Dogs unconditionally love you.
Dogs don't judge you. They don't care about skin color, sexual orientation, body type, or able-bodiedness. As long as you love your dog, your canine pal will unconditionally return that love tenfold. And that's puppy love you may not be able to find anywhere else.
