Everyone knows about the endless benefits of a furry friend around the house---they force you to be active and teach responsibility. However, there is so much about these lovable creatures that goes uncredited, like their passion for making their human best friends happy every single day. Dogs can do a lot more than teach you how to care for someone, and here's a couple reasons why.

People with dogs are less likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness. Yes, there are many physical benefits of having a dog but the ability to bring someone out of depression or prevent anxiety attacks in their owners is a characteristic that is unique these special animals. A few licks and a wet nose in your face is better than any tissue wiping away your tears. They can't even say a word, yet they always know exactly what to say.

Dogs will force you to be compassionate. These animals don't need a lot of things besides your love and attention. They thrive off of your coming home every day and the cuddles that you will share. Their purpose, essentially, is to love and be loved. Dogs have bigger hearts that any human and they can teach you so much about compassion and unconditional love. After getting my puppy, I realized that I always a true animal lover at heart and began volunteering and consciously thinking about how my activities were affecting other animals, so much so that I became vegetarian to save as many animals as I could.

They will make you laugh. Dogs are not very serious in nature, in fact, they are some of the happiest and comedic creatures ever. They are constantly doing silly things and getting into entertaining situations that will make you laugh till your stomach hurts. They don't take anything too seriously and will tell you that you shouldn't either.

They will give you the opportunity to fall in love every day. This is the most fascinating trait of theirs, that they will make you fall in love with them in an instant. Even though there is a special place in my heart reserved for my own puppy, I haven't met a single dog that I didn't fall in love with. Every dog will open its heart to you, and you will fall for it every time.

If you are looking for a little more love and happiness in your life, get a dog.