I’ve been without a dog of my own for a little over seven years now, and I’ve missed having one but I didn’t realize how much until I had a furry four-legged houseguest for a week. My partner’s father had asked us to dog-sit his dog while he and his partner went on vacation. I was only too happy to do so, we had been talking about getting a dog so this was kind of a test to see if that is what we really wanted. And yes, we did want a puppy.
Wouldn’t you know my partner surprised me with the sweetest little puppy. She’s 3/4 Golden Retriever and 1/4 Poodle….and smart! I guess the look on my face when my partner brought in our new puppy in was priceless. We had discussed getting a puppy but that’s as far as we had gotten and so this was completely unexpected.
Our puppy’s name is Friday, as in the Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. She is aptly named because she is my constant companion. She is a joy to have and to look after, and she has done wonders for my anxiety and depression already. I feel so much better just having her around.
Studies have shown that having a furry (or feathered) companion alleviates loneliness, stress, and can keep us playful. I know I am always uplifted whenever I play with my dog and her antics make me smile. Dogs in particular are great for getting you outside for walks, regular exercise is a natural byproduct of doggie ownership.
Below is a brief article from NIH describing some of the potential benefits of owning a pet.
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My Phoenix Rising 