The bond between humans and dogs has existed since ancient times. Today, around 70% of households in the U.S. own at least one dog. Additionally, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dogs are the number one choice for pet owners looking to adopt a new companion.
We’ve all heard the saying, “dogs are man’s (or woman’s!) best friend.” If you ask just about any dog owner, they’ll be inclined to agree. There are so many reasons why dogs make wonderful companions for humans. Let’s look at 20 reasons why my dog is my best friend.
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1. Literally the Best Welcome Home Possible
Coming home at the end of a long day away can be depressing. Your house is dark, and you’re all alone. That’s not the case if you have a dog, though.
Dogs give you a welcoming party every time you walk through the door, whether you were gone for one hour or eight. Lots of dogs put on an adorable welcome home show, complete with wagging tails, happy whines and barks, kisses galore, and excitement they can’t contain.
There’s no better way to come home, no matter where you’ve been.
2. They Keep You Company
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loneliness is more than just an unpleasant emotion; it can cause serious health problems. You can help stave off loneliness and its detrimental effects by welcoming a dog into your home.
Dogs provide excellent company. We’ll get into some of these aspects of their personalities below, but they stay by your side, offer support and a listening ear, get you to play and laugh, and even give you someone to talk to.
3. They’re Always Good for a Laugh
Dogs have no sense of shame and often very little self-awareness. That means that they have no problem being goofy and funny, no matter who is around them.
As you get to know your dog, you’ll become familiar with the details of their personalities. More and more, you’ll recognize the hilarious things they do. Whether it’s chasing their tail, bringing you their favorite toy, or a dance they do when it’s time for dinner, we promise your doggie best friend will make you laugh a lot.
4. …Or a Snuggle
As your dog learns they can depend on you to meet their needs and love you, they’ll identify you as a member of their “pack.” It’s part of how their brains evolved to think in order to survive.
And that means lots of snuggles for you. Dogs instinctively cuddle next to their fellow pack members, human and canine (and other species as well). They do this for warmth, protection, and comfort.
5. They’ll Always Join You on a Walk or a Run
You never have to worry about your buddy dropping out of a morning workout anymore. Most dogs love to get outside and be active. They’ll never say no to going with you on your outdoor adventures.
In fact, your dog might prompt you to be more active and get more fresh air yourself. Dogs of all sizes need activity, and you’ll want to meet all their needs. Explore some creative ways to exercise with your dog.
6. In Fact, They’ll Go Just About Anywhere with You
Dogs don’t like to be away from their families or “pack.” As we described above, it’s part of their wiring for survival to keep their pack together. Therefore, they want to go with you wherever you go (even if they don’t love the car).
Many restaurants, shops, entertainment events, and more are now dog-friendly. You’ll discover a whole new side to your city or town with Fido in tow.
7. They Listen to You
It might seem ridiculous, but your dog gives you someone to talk to, and that’s another way they can help fight loneliness and depression. Whether you need to speak some truth out loud without judgment or opinions or just want to narrate your day, your dog is there to hear you.
As the wise Emily Dickinson said in one of our favorite my dog is my best friend quotes, “dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.”
8. They Want to Protect You
Once again, it’s part of that pack mentality. Dogs recognize that they need you just as much as you need them. They’ll do what they can to scare away potential predators. What’s more, it’s effective. Studies have shown that dogs help prevent break-ins and attacks against their owners.
9. They’ll Get You Out of Bed in the Morning (and Maybe Back in It at Night)
An animal can only be so patient when getting some sustenance and relieving themselves. You’ll have to get out of bed in the morning to take care of them, which can be a huge help when it comes to regulating your sleep patterns.
In addition, they might help you maintain a healthy bedtime as well, either because they’ll act as your alarm clock and you’re tired at night or because they crawl into bed first.
10. They Always Love Your Gifts and Treats
Dogs aren’t hard to please, especially when you get to know yours. Whether they love plush toys with squeakers or tough ropes for playing tug, it’s effortless to make them happy with a little gift.
Not to mention, TREATS! All dogs have some kind of food that they can’t resist, and they’ll love you to pieces for giving it to them. Just be sure it’s safe for them to eat.
11. They Can Sense Your Mood
One of the reasons my dog is my best friend is that they just know when I’ve had a bad day. It isn’t exactly clear how, but dogs can sense when you’re depressed or sad, anxious, or even excited.
What’s more, they’ll meet you there because they want you to be a healthy and functioning member of their pack. There are even dogs trained to be psychiatric service dogs who respond to their owners’ triggers and warning signs for mood and mental disorders.
12. Dogs Don’t Judge
It doesn’t matter what you do; your faithful furry friend won’t judge you. You can wear whatever you want and do whatever you feel like in front of them, and they will still provide you with that special unconditional love.
Some people say that they can only truly be themselves with their pets, especially dogs. That’s because dogs won’t ridicule you or change their loving opinions of you based on anything you say or do.
13. You Can Watch Whatever You Want on TV
Unlike a human companion, your puppy will never argue with you about what you want to watch on TV. They will just sit on the couch next to you, providing their characteristic cuddles. It doesn’t matter whether you like horror or comedy or bad reality TV, they’ll agree and enjoy it.
14. Constant Companionship
It may already be obvious, but your dog will provide the kind of constant companionship you can’t get from anyone else. They follow you around your home from room to room and are thrilled to join you on all your errands and activities.
What’s more, they aren’t doing it because they expect anything from you; they just want to enjoy being around you.
15. Clean Floors
Have you ever met a dog nicknamed Hoover or Dyson? It’s because they clean your floors. No sooner do food scraps and crumbs land there than your dogs’ cute little tongue make it spick and span again.
That doesn’t mean that you need to deal with a dog begging for food from you every time you eat. It’s more than possible to train dogs to leave you alone and clean up the crumbs after you’ve left the dinner table.
16. Some Dogs Save Their Masters’ Lives
While it isn’t a guarantee, there are more than a few instances of dogs who have saved their owners’ lives. In January 2022, the story of a dog named Shiloh went viral after seeking help for his owner, who was injured in a car crash.
It isn’t just acts of heroics, either. Service dogs do much more than lead the blind. Some dogs can alert their diabetic owners to low and high blood sugar, dogs who detect an upcoming seizure, and even psychiatric service dogs who can interrupt self-destructive behaviors.
17. They Love All Your Friends
You won’t ever have to worry about introducing this companion to your friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else. Dogs almost always love everyone! They’re excited to meet new people and very often want to play with their new friends right away.
Dogs can also help break the ice with new people. They have no sense of shyness or shame, so they’ll jump right in (literally) and greet the new person in your life. Even when they’re not around you, they always give you something interesting to discuss in conversations. And believe me, you’ll never want to stop chatting about how wonderful your dog is!
18. They Can Improve Your Physical Health
Dogs have been proven to help improve your physical health by helping you be more active. Trust me, you’ll want to make your dog as healthy and happy as possible, and part of that is making sure that they get enough exercise.
The tricky thing about that is that it also requires you to exercise. Dogs love going for walks, and walking is an excellent exercise for you, too. It can help your heart, lower your blood pressure, help you lose weight, and is safe for people with all kinds of medical issues that make other forms of exercise dangerous.
19. They Literally Make You Happy
If you’ve never laughed at a dog, then you haven’t spent a lot of time with one. It isn’t just your physical health that dogs can assist with; they also boost your mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, dogs can help prevent or even treat depression.
Through many different ways, dogs can help reduce tension and anxiety and elevate dopamine and oxytocin, both of which are feel-good hormones in your brain. They also allow you to socialize more, especially with other dog owners, and improve your self-worth. All of those things can help raise your quality of life.
20. Have We Mentioned Unconditional Love?
One of the best things about dogs is the unconditional love they give to their “parents.” Very soon after adopting them into your family, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without them and their humor, companionship, and love.
If this list has you wishing for a canine best friend of your own, visit your local animal shelter. There are thousands of dogs waiting for their “fur-ever” families, and you’re ready for your new best friend.
Conclusion for Why My Dog is My Best Friend
Dogs are amazing creatures. They love us unconditionally, they are loyal companions, and they provide unconditional love. There’s no doubt your dog is your best friend. We just gave you 20 examples of why!
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