I’m not a people person. Anyone who knows me well knows that. I prefer to keep a smaller group of friends with whom I am very close rather than having a large number of “friends”, who are really nothing more than acquaintances. I’ve broadened my social circle significantly since coming to college, but my high school friends remain few and far between. As could have been predicted, we all lost touch after graduation and now, almost three years since we graduated, I’m only really close to a handful of my graduating class.
As I’ve been spending more time at home this semester, thanks to a gloriously free schedule, I’ve come to realize that my dogs are becoming more important to me than any of my friends, including my best friends.
Here’s why:
1. Dogs are great stress relievers.
When I’m stressed out, like all college students perpetually are, sometimes spending time with friends stresses me out even more. Dogs don’t bring any drama to the table. Well, at least nothing more than them wanting to escape outside so they can chase the rabbits like they’ve always wanted to.
2. Dogs love you unconditionally.
There’s nothing better in life than seeing the excitement on your dogs’ faces when you walk in the door after a long day at school or work. You’re their whole world and no one, not even the best friend in the world, will ever be nearly as excited to see you as your dogs will be. A friend or significant other can sit there and say “I love you,” as much as they want, but you’ll never be able to feel their love for you as much as you can feel your dogs’.
3. Dogs will snuggle with you as much as you want.
Even though I’m not a people person, like all people I need that physical contact with others to make me feel like everything is okay. That’s not to say that I don’t look forward to the hugs that I get from friends or my pre-choir snuggles, but the main difference is that dogs are always there, always ready and willing to curl up into your lap and give you kisses and snuggles when you need them the most.
4. Dogs know when you’re upset and know just how to make you feel better.
I can’t speak for other dogs, but both of mine know when I’m upset or just having a bad day. One of them will always come and sit beside me when she thinks I’m upset and rest her head on the arm of my chair, just looking at me with her pretty brown eyes. Seeing the love in her eyes for me melts my heart and can lighten even the darkest of moods.
5. Most importantly, dogs will never break your heart.
Yes, there will be a day when our furry, four-legged friends will no longer be roaming the earth with us, but other than that we don’t have to worry about our dogs crushing our hearts as soon as we’ve opened up to them, unlike many people. I’ve been hurt before, had my heart broken so much that I thought I’d never recover, making me even more reluctant than ever to open up to people. I know that my dogs will never hurt me. They’ve been there for me at my weakest moments and have helped me pick up the pieces. My heart is safe with them, at least until the day that they’re no longer with me.
I love my dogs more than anything and I can’t picture my life without them. People, friends and even family, are expendable and can break your heart. Trust me, I’ve had my heart broken time and again by both my father and by one of my best friends. My dogs always make me feel loved and appreciated, more than any person can ever do and I will always love them for that, even after they are long gone.
