Readers of Snapshot and Snippets will know I am the owner of lots of Pets. And I occasionally mention them on Social Media. I wanted to introduce you to our two puppies Mishka and Skoda and talk about how they have helped us mentally and physically. In honor of National Dog day, I am talking about the health benefits of owning dogs. And letting you meet ours and here how we ended up with these two rascals. And how owning your own puppy could help you.
How we got Skoda
Skoda bear arrived one day in a school bag! Which is not the first time a pet has arrived that way! My youngest desperately wanted a dog and is little mite desperately needed a home. At the time I was wary of getting a puppy, we had cats and chickens and other pets. What on earth would the cats make of this? But animals are smarter than people, they all found their space and learned to live together.
My youngest, who at the time was a troubled teenager, found solace in this cute face. And it helped her heal and the bond they have is beautiful. She is a mix, we haven’t a clue of what. I think Spaniel, maybe Collie and a Terrier. She is feisty, thinks she is the boss. Skoda is smart as a whip and learns tricks quickly. Thankfully she got over her shoe eating phase!!
How we got Mishka
Mishka is a rescue dog. Apparently, she and her sisters were abandoned in a barn.
As a consequence, Mish has anxiety issues. She was adopted by the girls Father but didn’t get on with one of the dogs in his home. There was talk of putting her down and I couldn’t watch that happen. So she ended up here in the madhouse. She is the softest scaredy cat you will ever meet. And hates to be alone, in fact, she is under my desk as I type.
She is my baby and is always at my side and she gets on with all the animals. She had a fondness for Toast. And we have taught her how to play ball. Interested in German Shepard pups? August is German Shepard month at PuppySpot
7 Great Health Benefits Owning Of Dogs
1. Dogs can Improve heart health
Dogs don’t just fill your heart; they actually make it stronger. Studies show that having a dog is linked to lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, and decreased triglyceride levels, which contribute to better overall cardiovascular health and fewer heart attacks. What’s more, dog owners who do have heart attacks have better survival rates following the events. Personally, I know they fill my heart with love.
2. Keep you fit and active
Health experts recommend that adults get about 2 hours and 30 minutes worth of moderate exercise per week. Dog owners are way more likely to hit that goal. I know that we have all started to walk more I think nothing of taking the girls on a 5k walk of an evening and I know it is good for them and myself.
3. Dogs Help you lose weight
Want to drop a few pounds? Grab a puppy and get active. Research has repeatedly found that daily dog walks help you lose weight since they force you to into moderate physical activity for 10, 20, and even 30 minutes at a time. My weight has started to drop just by walking the dogs.
4. Reduce stress
There is a reason therapy dogs are so effective: Spending just a few minutes with a pet can lower anxiety and blood pressure, and increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, two neurochemicals that play big roles in calm and well-being. People performing stressful tasks do better when there’s a dog around, too, and studies show dogs ease tension both at the office and at home.
I actually work in an office with a dog called Lucy, she does make work enjoyable.
5. Stave off depression
It’s widely believed that dog owners are less prone to depression than the dog-less, largely because they seem to help in so many other areas of health and well-being. As you know I suffer from Depression and I have to say I completely agree. Even on a black day Mishka’s never-ending love it hard to ignore and is unconditional.
6. Prevent allergies
Back in the olden days (the ‘90s), experts believed having a dog in your home contributed to children’s allergies. Fortunately, recent research shows just the opposite is true: Dogs and cats actually lower a child’s chance of becoming allergic to pets—up to 33 percent, according to a 2004 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. As a side bonus, young ‘uns might even develop stronger immune systems.
7. Help in the fight against diseases
It’s believed that owning a dog can help detect, treat, and manage a variety of illnesses and debilitations. A few examples:
- Some dogs have been trained to sniff out skin, kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer, among others.
- Service dogs are known to benefit people with everything from traumatic brain injury to autism to rheumatoid arthritis, increasing mobility and promoting independence.
- Alzheimer’s patients are soothed by dogs, whose companionship also seems to mitigate emotional flare-ups and aggression. I have seen this in action. The lady that has my chickens currently has a son with Autism. He has a therapy dog called Hagrid and you can read all about him HERE .
How to get a puppy the right way
Looking to get a new dog in your life and enjoy some of those Health Benefits? Puppyspot in the USA is a community of dog lovers, committed to connecting the nation’s top breeders to caring, responsible individuals and families in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Dallas, and across the U.S.
If you are in Ireland and the Uk I highly recommend Dog’s Trust to find dog’s that are looking for a loving home. Owning a dog is great fun and a rewarding relationship. I know we wouldn’t be without our dogs now.
REMEMBER – A dog is a big commitment and that they will rely on you for food, shelter, love, and exercise and more. Make sure you are ready for the commitment and discuss it with the professionals that home dogs.
To read more about our pets check out these posts here
- Is it hard to keep Chickens?
- Puppy-Proofing the garden
- Five Reasons not to get real bunnies for Easter.
You can find more posts here at Welcome to Snapshot and Snippets and remember to follow us on social Media.
THIS IMAGE IS PINNABLE =====>
I saw this post on facebook and had to come see you pups. My hubs has lots of issues with arthritis and our dog knows when they are painful. He will go lick whatever joint is sore.
Animals are good for people, we can all learn so much from them.
Thank you for the great article.
They really do seem to sense when a person need help and they are such a source of comfort Lea
Aww, what a lovely post Amber! I grew up with a German Sheperd dog and she was the sweetest! We have bunnies right now and sometimes I think they are like dogs those two… always in the middle of everything that´s going on…
We have a Bunny to Katrin and the German Shepard loves her if I am feeding her she comes over to lick Cookie the rabbit and Cookie licks her back!!