Dogs: A mans best friend. A girls best friend (forget that diamond nonsense). Who am I kidding? Everyone's best friend. How many times have you gotten home from a long day at school or work (or both) and just wanted your dog? How many times have you needed cheering up and your dog was your go to? Probably more times than you can count. Why everyone needs a dog.

1. Cuddling

By nature, dogs are generally lazy when they're inside. My dog sleeps alllllll day, so she's perfect to cuddle with.

2. Playing

You can run around the house from your sisters yelling "come get the bone!" but it's really just not as fun.

3. Laughing

My dog makes me laugh every day She's hilarious; she flops over when she's scared-- and somehow manages to sleep on her back with one or two paws straight up in the air.

4. The head tilt

There is nothing cuter than the heat tilt.

5. They are ALWAYS happy to see you

Seriously, I can walk out of the room for two minutes, and when I walk back in my dog is on cloud nine.

6. Protection

If you don't sleep a little better at night, or feel a little safer in your house alone because you have a dog (no matter how silly they are) ...well, you're probably lying. They make excellent guard dogs, and (if your dog is anything like mine) they'll even let you know when an invader (disguised as a bug of course) has landed on the screen.

7. You'll always have a friend that won't bail on you

Did your friend cancel on you for ice cream? A run? A movie day? That's okay-- your dog would love to take their spot.

8. They reduce stress

Something as simple as petting them will increase the oxytocin levels and decrease cortisol (stress inducing hormone) in your brain, therefore reducing stress.

9. They immediately know when you're upset

Sometimes they know when you're upset before you do.

10. They make social situations less awkward

They make it easier for people to approach you, and become the perfect conversation starter.

11. (Small dog owners only) You can register your dog as an emotional support animal and take them everywhere with you.

Perfect for finals week. Most schools have therapy dogs once every other month, you'll have your own dog every day.

12. Comfort

They comfort veterans with PTSD, children with autism, they help the blind, they aid with separation anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, they can assist people in wheel chairs, etc.

13. They're natures best vacuums

They're practically sitting on your lap waiting for you to drop a piece of food. Your floors will never be more clean-- I promise.