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Shortly after I was born my parents purchased a Golden Retriever puppy and in an instant the course of my life was altered forever.
I was now a pet person for life. However, it took over thirty years before I became a single pet parent (taking care of a pet without the help of other family members) and it was at that time that I first realized the true benefits of owning a pet.
By the way, I do say “Pet Parent” and not “Dog Parent” because I’m not strictly a dog person. In fact, as a kid I was a cat person (shhh…please don’t tell my boys) and throughout my life I’ve had the benefit of owning dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, fish, lizards, and birds.
5 Benefits Of Owning A Pet
I first brought home my very own rescue puppy, Linus nearly 8 years ago and since then I’ve enjoyed the many benefits of owning a pet.
If you visit the PAL (Pets Add Life) website you’ll find a list telling why your days are brighter and life is just plain better with pets in it. Here’s the abbreviated version of their list:
- Pets Help To Reduce Stress
- Pets Help To Lower Heart Disease and Reduce Blood Pressure
- Pets Help To Fight Depression
- Add Joy
- Add Health
Check out the entire list with explanations at PAL (Pets Add Life) website.
My favorite benefit occurs nearly every day when I’m walking to the front door of my house after a hard days work I often ask myself (or whoever is with me at the time):
“I wonder if the boys will be happy to see me?”
Of course Linus always charges to greet me, grabs a plush doggy toy (if he can’t find a toy he grabs one of my shoes), and tries to get me to play with him. Now if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face then I don’t know what will.
How Pets Add To My Life
I tell this to almost everyone who asks me a question on this site: “Every puppy is different, every puppy will have a different personality.
Don’t expect this puppy to be the exact same as your last puppy even if it’s the same breed or even from the same litter.”
That brings me to my 3 dogs. They are each different and have their own personality. I love them all to death, but they each bring a little bit something special to the table.
Linus – The Australian Shepherd Mix
Linus was my first puppy. We rescued Linus from the Carson Animal Shelter and you can actually read the entire story of how I adopted Linus…my very first blog post.
Linus has changed my life in many ways. He was the reason I got involved in fostering and puppy raising.
He’s always excited to see me. His enthusiasm and playfulness is infectious.
I just love his daily greetings when I return home from a hard days work. Linus is also the one in tune with my emotions.
He know when I’m happy and gives me plenty of wags and kisses and he know when I’m sad and gives me much needed affection and a body to hug.
Stetson – The Black Labrador Retriever
Stetson was my first guide dog puppy in training. Stetson is a career changed guide dog and now lives permanently at home with me.
Stetson has an enthusiasm for 2 things: food and sleep. He does love his sniffer training, but that’s all related to his love for food.
Stetson teaches me every day to slow down and enjoy life. Do the things that make me happy!
He doesn’t have the same energetic greetings as Linus, but he’s a great companion when you need a pup to snuggle up to on the couch while watching a movie.
Apache – The Golden Retriever
Apache is my current guide dog puppy in training. It’s great always having a young puppy in your life as we puppy raisers always do.
Apache definitely has a youthful outlook on life. He prances on walks, he sometimes gets overly excited, and he loves to play.
He’s still a puppy and is constantly learning when he can be excited and playful versus when he needs to concentrate on work.
Apache really brings out the kid in me and reminds me that we should always be learning and that it’s okay to act like a kid once in while. Of course he also has that endearing affectionate side found in most Golden’s.
I’d be remiss to not mention my other 2 dogs. Derby was my second guide dog puppy in training and ended up as a career changed too.
He went into the guide dog adoption program and went to live with a loving family. He taught me that we’re not all made to do certain jobs. If you don’t like what you do then try doing something else.
Finally there’s Dublin who has an entire series of videos right here on the blog. Check out Puppy In Training TV. Dublin graduated and is a working guide dog. He taught me that if you work hard then you can reach your goals.
Pets add to all aspects of your life. If you have not already experienced the joys and benefits of owning a pet it is something I definitely think you should consider.
If you have a moment I highly recommend you check out the PAL – Pets Add Life website or take a look at their Facebook Page.
The PAL – Pets Add Life campaign is designed to demonstrate the joys and benefits of pet ownership, thus driving increased adoption of pets and responsible ownership of pets. Produced by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
We’ve always been a fan of pet adoption and responsible ownership and plan on continuing to work with our local animal shelters and rescues as volunteers and fosters.
So how about you guys? How have pets added to your life? What benefits have you experienced while owning a pet? Tell us your story in the comment section below.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Pets Add Life campaign and the American Pet Products Association. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership.
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Urban Hounds says
I love being a pet parent too! They give you so much. I know non-pet owners just dont get it which is one reason I LOVE blogville. Great post
urban hounds
Colby says
Good point! Non-pet owners really don’t get it, but hopefully some day they will.
emi says
This is very true. Once your children leave, your pet companions become your best friend and are always there for you. I remember when I would come home from 8 hour days at the nursing home my Mom was in, feeling so sad and tired, my cats would cuddle up to me just knowing that I needed some extra attention. It was also during those sad days that 2 of my 3 cats actually became “lap cats”….it’s a wonderful feeling having the cats sit in your lap just purring away…..
Miko says
I agree, there’s nothing better than a cat on your lap. It’s animal therapy
Colby says
I wonder what the dog equivalent of purring is? Stetson snores pretty loud 🙂
Colby says
Maybe you can take your cats and certify them as therapy cats. Linus is very good at sensing emotions, but he doesn’t usually try to sit on my lap unless he’s scared.
Miko says
This article holds very true to my heart Colby. We have always grown up with lots of animals as you know and I think as a child I always had a very deep connections with our “animal companions.” I remember the first magazines I subscribed to were Cat Fancy and Dog Fancy magazine. From there, I started receiving information on the Humane Society, PETA and other similar animal groups as a very little girl. I had Mom send $5 of my allowance to one of the groups to help save the homeless animals. From this, my love and bond with our pets has only grown for me. The relationships and joy they have brought me is invaluable. I now only have 1 cat, Lulu, but my dedication to helping animals continues, including being a vegetarian. I will always have pets and am so glad that our family lots of animals friends for me to enjoy!
Colby says
Very well said! Thanks for sharing your story and your love for animals. Maybe it’s time for you to get a friend for Lulu 🙂
haopee says
One thing I can certainly tell you, my dogs keep the peace in our home. Without them, I wouldn’t have experienced an entire month’s peace because my mom and I used to fight… MONTHLY. When I introduced Peanuts as an indoor dog, those fights went out of the door.
They make my mom laugh in the most absurd ways and for the most absurd reasons. This is good news for me because it certainly lessens the tension at home.
Adoption is awesome. Little Linus looks like a black Lab. LOL.
Huggies and Cheese,
Haopee
Colby says
That’s awesome that your dogs keep the peace at home! Yes, Linus did and still does look a lot like a Lab. Although if you met him in person you’d notice that his coat is totally different and his tail curls and feathers kind of like a husky.
Take care!
Colby
Pamela says
What a lovely, heartfelt post.
But I had to giggle when I read your disclaimer. It’s like “you want to pay me for sharing how great pets are? Well, gee. That’s a no-brainer.” 🙂
Hopefully this campaign will convince many families without pets to open their homes and their hearts.
Colby says
Thank Pamela! Yeah, it’s pretty easy to share how much I love my pets, how great they are, and how much they benefit and improve my life. It really is a no-brainer.
Thanks,
Colby
Sha Sha says
Our pooch Luke is the life of the party…a 5 year old male beagle who is everyone’s friend. With his laid back temperment, he can handle puppie dogs to little kids with his mild manners, yet command being the leader of the pack. He waits patiently for his masters to come home from work and is always happy to greet them at the door…with a toy in tow. Besides being a happy camper, he never complains, listens to our everyday comments, eats whatever he is fed and truly has that unconditional love for his family and friends. Luke Skywalker is definitely a keeper!
WE LOVE OUR DOG!!!!!!!!
Colby says
Hi Sha Sha!
I think everyone loves Luke. He’s such a good boy. Just like Luke, Linus likes to run around with a toy in his mouth when he greets people.
Take care,
Colby
Allison says
As an only child, the dogs were the closest things I had to brothers and sisters. They were great! We would play, get mad at each other, watch tv, sleep, etc…they would even walk me to elementary school (with my dad in tow). Now that I’m out of my parents’ house, they have Yuki (their little yorkie) to spoil. It’s fun to go to my parents’ house and see this little thing bolt around the corner sprinting to say hi and lick your face!
I currently live with three dogs and they are amazing. They are super lovable, caring, and entertaining! I love coming home to them everyday and they have a way of making me feel at ease after a rough day at work…just by laying next to me on the couch. 🙂
I’m a dog person…and will always be one!
Colby says
Hi Allison,
I think my sister thought our dog was a better sibling then her 2 brothers. I remember she used to dress up Maffy when he was a younger pup. Did you do the same with your dogs when you were a kid? By the way, those 3 dogs you live with sure are cool!
Take care,
Colby
KSO says
Owning a dog definitely helps reduce my stress, Betty is the best at making me feel better!
Colby says
I couldn’t agree more. As soon as Linus, Stetson, and Apache greet me my day is instantly better.
Thanks for stopping by!
Colby
Irene says
As soon as we bought our house, we got our first puppy, Miki. He was so much fun, we soon brought home our second puppy. They were our “children” for eighteen years. Soon after they passed on, we got Chibi. He was such a joy and when we had to put him down, we were all so heartbroken we didn’t want to get another puppy. After a few years we felt like our home was missing something, so decided to get another puppy. Now we don’t know what we would do without Yuki. She is a spoiled brat and is a very needy puppy but is so much fun to have around. I guess we will always be pet parents.
Colby says
Hi Irene,
Thanks for sharing! It’s great to hear the stories about other peoples experiences with their pets. It does sound like you’ll always be pet parents. By the way, I will have some pictures of Yuki wearing her Bret Michaels Pet Hoodie soon.
Take care,
Colby
Kyley says
Our dog Maffy was such a joy for our family. I took hiim on runs/walks almost everyday and it was always a stress reliever as well as great exercise. We had him about 17 years and he loved going on walks until the very end, he was amazing. Now we have George and he needs a walk everyday as well and it helps the whole family get out into the environment for fresh air and exercise. We’ll be pet owners for life.
Kyley
Colby says
Hi Kyley,
We loved Maffy! and don’t forget Kiko! That’s a benefit I forgot to mention. Dogs get you out of the house for fresh air and exercise. I take all 3 of my dogs out on walks probably 2-3 times a day each. Without them I’d probably be stuck to my desk 12 hours a day.
Thanks,
Colby