Making the decision to own a dog is something one should think through carefully. Perhaps you are on the fence about dog ownership because you are not sure if you want to do the work of caring for a dog. After all, they require a great deal of attention, exercise, training, affection and provision. Your life will never be the same once you own a dog. However, the work you put in will win you a best friend and loyal companion. Consider the following positive attributes to dog ownership before you write the idea off:
- Dogs are incredibly affectionate animals. It is almost impossible to feel lonely or isolated when you own a dog because their affection is so immense. It has been discovered that the chemical a dog’s brain releases when they see their owner is the same chemical the human brain releases when in love. They will greet you at the door, spend time with you the entire day and cuddle with you before they go to sleep.
- The loyalty that dogs have for their owners is very strong. Even the ones that are very social with people, such as golden retrievers, place a high importance on being near their owners and receiving attention from them. Many dogs have been known to die of heartbreak when their owner dies, or refuse to leave their side even after they have passed away.
- A dog’s instinct to protect its owner is also incredibly strong. Dogs are pack animals that are wired to protect those they consider to be in their pack, which would include their owners and their other close relationships. Dogs have stood up to bears, mountain lions, human attackers and many other dangerous predators in order to defend their owner. Apart from being a companion animal, dogs are also used as home security systems.