Dogs are one’s best friend. Period.
They set examples of companionship and loyalty that no human can compare against.
Their presence in your life can make you truly happy and teach you to love unconditionally.
Simply put, the relationship between dogs and humans is truly one-of-a-kind.
Dogs Save Lives
The furry friends give you love, companionship, and the support you need to get through the daily challenges of life. But that’s not all.
Several dog breeds are specially trained to perform various functions. Yes, that’s right!
For instance, the Pyrenean shepherd can look after your livestock; Labrador Retrievers act as great guide dogs; and Boxer dogs have served as rescue dogs since forever.
The Pandemic and Dogs
But that does not mean you need a specific type of dog to save your life. Dogs are inherently capable of understanding human emotions.
They can tell when you get sad or angry and help you through it. So, sometimes our dog really is the only one who can understand our pain and be there for us.
When the coronavirus pandemic struck in late 2019, it was painful to see many owners part ways with their lifelong companions.
But many owners took a stand and stuck with these loyal friends, showing them the same loyalty that they had shown to them.
It later came to light that these furry creatures could not carry the virus, and even if they did, they could not transfer it to humans.
But one problem was still left – how to take your loyal friend out for walks amid strict lockdowns?
What does your dog do with all the extra energy if he/she can’t run around and roll in open space?
Well, everyone had to make some sacrifices.
Owners found indoor games to play with their dogs and kept themselves and their dog friend busy.
In the end, it was clear that the bond was stronger than ever after lockdown ended.
The Merits of a Canine Friend
Having a dog as a companion amid the pandemic bore fruit for most families. No one could have imagined the life dogs brought to an otherwise dull period, and how they brightened up the home
Here’s how our furry friends helped us in this time of need:
- Fighting Isolation Blues
The pandemic isolated everyone from their loved ones. The fear of a deadly disease pushed everyone to stay home to curb the effect of the virus.
But this led to feelings of loneliness, especially for people that lived alone. This loneliness can lead to hopelessness and lead you to depression.
Not if your dog can help it!
A study in Australia showed that dogs could reduce feelings of loneliness in your life. They can ease any psychological stress and transform them into positive emotions with their presence.
With their spit-laden way of showing love, dogs keep you happy and fight all loneliness.
So, having a dog amid lockdowns was probably the best way to keep yourself happy.
- Anxiety and Stress
Fighting away your loneliness is one thing, but stress is a different matter altogether. Amid the pandemic, several people lost their jobs.
Even if that did not happen to you, such a tragedy could naturally induce extreme anxiety.
The knowledge of an uncertain future can be very disturbing, and the failure to endure such stress can significantly disturb your life.
However, studies by Habri Central show that dogs are excellent for treating depression and anxiety, especially in the elderly. Some believe even petting your dog can help lower your anxiety levels.
Such companionship could have made all the difference in your struggles during the lockdown when you needed support and an avenue to relieve your anxiety.
So, the next time you have something stressing you out, just whistle for your four-legged friend and cuddle the stress out.
- Happiness
But what about happiness? That’s all that matters in the end, through all the anxiety and loneliness. How can you be happy?
Well, studies have even tried to explore whether dogs can help you feel truly happy about yourself. This can even be translated to mean that you do not have problems such as clinical depression and so on.
In fact, it has been concluded that puppies have specific features to their face that make it seem like a baby’s face. The conclusion came from a research article in Plos One and explains the response of caring that comes from humans when looking at puppies.
- Dealing with Crises
Ups and downs are a part of life.
We rarely ever realize the value of the ups until we experience the downs. The difficult times can turn your life upside down and make it difficult to navigate.
From the loss of a loved one to the loss of a job or an accident or disease, a crisis can be anything!
Your pet dog can be one of your biggest supporters during this time.
Dogs can read your emotions and with their natural inclination to love and care, they can uplift your mood and help you get through.
This is one of the biggest reasons why dogs are often allotted to retired veterans. The dog can largely reduce the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and make life easier for them both psychologically and physiologically.
- Mental Illness and the Elderly
Age is not kind to anyone. The onset of mental illness in the later stages of life can seriously hinder life quality.
Not on your dog’s watch!
Dogs have shown to be great for pet therapy in senior citizens and can take care of the elderly over long periods. In fact, a study by Sage Journals also showed a reduction in agitated behavior in the elderly with dementia.
Having a four-footed companion can lower the feelings of loneliness and anxiety that creep up at such ages.
Dogs never give up on their human friends, no matter how old they get.
Celebrate Your Dog with an Aesthetic “Thanks”
Our dogs have been with us through thick and thin. They have entertained, consoled, and motivated us this past year.
Even if they were just there by your side throughout the past year, they are worth celebrating.
They add meaning to your life and you know that no matter what happens, you will have someone eagerly waiting for you at home to give you all the love you deserve.
Now, it is time to embrace our canine friends for all that they bring to our life, and what better way to say thanks and celebrate than with a gorgeous portrait?
Document your family and pet with portraits.
Not only will it adorn the walls of your home but it will also give your next generations priceless memories to hold onto.
So, what are you waiting for?
Make Your Way to Hatton Pet Portrait Studio
If you don’t have a dog yet, go get one now. If you do have one, get a beautiful portrait with him/her from Hatton Pet Portrait Studio!
Get the right background and add on a few props, and we make your portrait come alive – for you and your dog.
This portrait will be one of the most priceless memories that you take from your relationship with your pet for years to come.
If there’s one thing our dogs have taught us in 2020, it’s that no matter what life throws at us, they will always be here for us.
Dog: A Man’s True Best Friend
A pet unlike any other, dog is a companion for life. It is loyal, friendly, cuddly, and emotionally mature.
A friend as surreal as a dog needs to be cherished and remembered for all time to come.
With a portrait, you can do just that by creating lasting memories in print.
Embrace your furry friend. Get your portraits today!