Why I Love Dogs

Dogs make me happy. If you’re reading this, I’m guessing they make you happy too.

I don’t know if there is a dog loving gene but if there is, I have it. I might have more than the average person.

If you were walking down the street and saw this yellow lab smiling at you from the driver’s seat of this vintage International Harverster Travelall, what emotions would you feel?

My brain would be releasing major amounts of oxytocin, a hormone often referred to as the “love hormone.”

Here are 5 Reasons Why Dogs Make Us Happy:

1. Companionship. This may be the reason why I love them the most. They’re always present and they don’t judge. You are never alone. Especially if you have a velcro dog like my Moose. You are NEVER alone. ha

2. Comfort. Having a bad day or feeling a little down? Spend time with a dog. I know they always make me feel better. Dogs can help reduce stress. I follow golden retriever Kerith on Instagram. He’s a certified therapy dog bringing smiles and comfort to first responders.

3. Walking the Dog. In this day and age of working from home, walking your dog is a very good reason to get up from your computer and get outside for some fresh air.

4. They know how to have fun. Dogs know how to have a good time…. and it’s infectious. In a good way. Watching a dog having a good time always makes me happy.

5. Unconditional Love. Being greeted at the door by your dog when you come home is one of my favorite things ever. My dogs don’t do it every time any more because of their age so when they do, it’s extra special now.

My dogs bring me so much comfort. We’ve always been a household with two dogs because I can’t stand the thought of losing my only dog and then being without one for a period of time.

Becoming a dog photographer has been such a gift for me. Because of my career, I can say that dogs give me purpose. Providing my dog loving clients with memories of their dogs they’ll cherish forever is as much of a gift to me as it is for them. I am fortunate to be able to do what I love for a living and I am forever grateful.

I also have a dog walking company. Showing up at a dog’s house to walk him and knowing how happy that makes him is a pretty great feeling. Being one of the highlights in a dog’s day is special.

Dogs make me happy. I try in return to give that right back to all of the dogs I meet.

This is a blog circle and our topic this week is “Happiness.” Click the link at the bottom of each post to read about all the reasons why dogs make us happy. Next up is Linda Perdue of VPShoots Photography sharing what my dogs consider "Happiness". Once you’ve been through the circle, you’ll end up right back here. Happy reading!