Everyone should have a dog. They provide numerable benefits; many more than one would think.
We all know dogs are good companions, good protectors, and become part of the family. However, with a four-and-a-half-month-old puppy trotting about the house these days, I’m learning some of the intangible benefits dogs provide.
One might not think so, but dogs can be good for your balance. Daisy, our wonder dog, loves to help me on with my pants in the morning. Usually when I have one leg in, she likes to grab the other and head for the living room. My balance is greatly improved since Daisy has decided to help me.
Having a dog can also help you organize your house. Most would think that socks should be put in the sock drawer. Not so, socks should be put in the living room, or perhaps on the back deck, and occasionally in the kitchen, but never in the sock drawer. And most certainly, sock should not be stored in pairs (unless they are balled up and then they should be chewed and salivated on before wearing).
Ever thought of employing feng shui to place the furniture in your house? No need to call in some high-priced expert, your dog will show where the furniture should be because dogs flow effortlessly through the house regardless of where the furniture is placed. You just need to adjust accordingly and, oh yes, dog shui changes from day to day.
Dogs are good for you physically, in more ways than one. Of course you benefit from taking a walk with your dog too, but there are other ways to improve your health. For instance, I now don’t have to buy a rowing machine to develop my shoulder and arm muscles, daily bouts of tug-of-war with a 40-pound live-weight.
And, your dog is also good for your reflexes. During those daily games of tug-of-war Daisy sometimes needs to get a better grip on the rope, slipper, sock, paper tube, or whatever we’re using. Her idea of getting a better grip is to pull back, lunge forward, and, of course, dogs don’t have opposable thumbs with which to grab things, they have fangs. Hence, my reaction time has increased dramatically.
Dogs can also help with some of the more mundane tasks you might have. We have been able to get rid of our paper shredder since Daisy arrived on the scene. She does a pretty good job, however, doesn’t like to leave the shreds in a bag or box but rather on the living room floor. Plus, any paper within reach has obviously been tagged for shredding. (I can now sympathize with the age-old “dog ate my homework” excuse.)
I’ve also discovered that there is no longer any need for an alarm clock. And, Daisy is kind of like ringtones on your phone, you can get a different one every day.
One day it could be a gentle nudge with a cold nose on your hand hanging over the edge of the bed, the next it could be a nip at your toe. However, since she has learned to jump … well, let’s just say there is no sleeping in past the alarm.
Daisy has also been a great benefit to our cats. She graciously watches them while they eat to make sure they clean up their dish. She does it with her nose pressed to floor about an inch away (she hasn’t yet figured out what claw range is or that the cats are still quicker than her). However, concerned that we may be mad at the cats if they don’t clean up their dish, Daisy will sneak around when we’re not looking and clean them up for the cats. Such a thoughtful dog.
She also helps the cats with their daily exercise routine. Their routine used to entail getting off the bed and heading to the couch for a nap, to now playful romps around the house complete with hissing, barking, and harried humans.
And, Daisy has shown me the path to riches. Who knew that cat poop fresh from the litter box was a dog treat? Going to package it up and make millions.