Dogs and humans have been friends for thousands and thousands of years. This partnership began when we found that dogs were happy to work for food. Even as technology took over many of those jobs, humans continue to share their lives with dogs!
We no longer need our dogs to hunt or protect us from wild animals, but they do plenty of other things for us! Dogs have an amazing ability to love and understand, and it affects us in big ways! We asked our Facebook followers why they are thankful for their dogs, and we heard some incredible responses! These are just a few of the reasons you’re thankful for your dogs!
#1 – Being Daily Walking Buddies
Many of our Faceook friends shared that they were thankful for their dogs for getting them out and walking. Did you know that people with dogs in their families are often more active than those without? Some people aren’t very concerned with their own health or exercise, but find that their dog’s happiness and wellbeing is enough to motivate them to move!
“I have diabetes and exercise is a must, so they help with that,” says Ivey. “We walk a couple miles or more 2-3 times a day. I love my dogs more than life itself.”
#2 – Giving Us Purpose
It’s easy to be overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness or despair. Dogs are great for helping us get out of bed each morning. On days when you don’t want to crawl out of bed, your love of your dog can get you up long enough to fill a food bowl and let your dog out. And your thankful pup will be there with tail wags and happy kisses. That little bit can often be enough to lift your spirits.
Michele says, “My dogs gave me purpose in my life. I needed them as much as they needed me. Maybe more so. I felt loved and gave love.”
#3 – Making Us Laugh
Laughter is the best medicine, we all need it and dogs definitely provide us with ample material for a good chuckle throughout the day. Our dogs have their own personalities, and often suprise us with their silly quirks and the things they seem to find interesting!
Lynn says, “We are thankful for our 3 furbabies because they make us laugh pretty much every day and makes us better people.”
#4 – Giving Unconditional Love
This might be the number one thing our readers mentioned that they are thankful for and so are we! Put simply, there is nothing like the love of a dog. There’s isn’t anything you can do to ever make your dog stop loving you! It doesn’t matter what you wear, or how much money you have, your job or your friends or family – your dog will always love you with their whole heart!
“Rutgers, is a blessing in our home,” says Terri. “Not only is he company, but he keeps us laughing and he shows unconditional love. I can’t imagine life without my furry little family member.”
“My dogs love me in those times I may not be able to love myself,” says Debra.
#5 – Being Happy To See Us
We all want a smiling face to greet us at the end of the day when we get home from work. If you own a dog, you have a 100 percent chance of that happening and it’s definitely something many of you are thankful for. At the end of the day, that wagging tail says it all!
“[Taffy] Always greets me at the door thrilled to see me…” says Teri. “She’d cook supper if she could. I love her with all my heart and soul. She’s a part of me; a very special dog.”
#6 – Being a Constant Friend
No matter what life throws at you, your dog is always there. Your dog will never be too busy for you. He will never tell you to handle your own problems. He will be the most loyal friend you will ever have.
“My two dogs are always there when I need a friend,” says Katie.
#7 – Being A Stress Reliever
If you think that your dog makes you calmer and takes the edge off your day, you’re not alone. And it’s not just in your head, either – it’s backed by science! Just petting your dog releases a feel-good chemical in your brain called Oxytocin that fights any feeling of stress you may have.
No matter how hard the day, your dog’s soft fur, warm heart and knowing eyes can make it all better.“Lola is my therapy,” says Bobbie. “She helps keep me calm as a caregiver to a loved one with dementia.”
#8 – Filling The Void
Dogs can make you whole again, no matter what the void is from. This was another one of our reader’s top things to be thankful for our dogs for.
“Our two dogs rescued us,” says Georgie. “When our kids left the nest we needed to fill that void. Our dogs greet us with tails wagging every day.”
#9 – Motivating Me To Be Better
“I’m thankful every day for my babies,” says Maria. “They motivate me to be a better person. They motivate me in all aspects of life. They save me every day – when I think of giving up I look at them and know I can never leave them. They make me strive to live my life on a dog’s standard with their values.”
#10 – Help Getting Through Tough Times
Dogs are a light during the darkest of times. Many of you expressed how grateful you are to your dog for helping you with a death of a family member, the loss of a job, or struggling with health conditions. Dogs are amazing for helping us cope.
“My Bitty Louise has helped me through serious depression,” says Tonya. “I’d look at her and she gives me [a] face [full of] love. She just sits on my shoulder and lays her head across my face – makes my whole day perfect. She is always happy to see me. She keeps me up and playing with her, she is my 4-legged angel!!”
#11 – Helping Make Friends
Linda says she has met “so many neighbors who are now great friends. Dogs bring out the best in us.”
Many of you were thankful for the friends you made around the world thanks to your dog.
#12 – Being Wonderful Listeners
“When I talk to her she listens to me and hardly talks back,” says Julie.
Nothing like talking to your dog when you’ve had a bad day or just need to have someone who will listen and not judge. Definitely something to be thankful for.
#13 – Giving Us Protection
Several of you mentioned how your dog protects you and makes you feel safe – it’s a scary world and having a constant companion to reassure you and make you feel safe is something to be thankful for. For some, their dogs have even protected them from life threatening situations.
“Best running buddy, snuggle bug and protector,” says Kimberley. “We love him so much and are so fortunate to have him in our lives.”
#14 – For Being Themselves
“I am thankful for Winston just because he’s him-a kind, gentle, loving little guy who makes me smile,” says Nancy.
It’s true – we love dogs and are thankful they are what they are – we hope they never change!
#15 – For Not Judging
Dogs love you for you – they don’t care what you do for a living, what you wear, or if you are secretly addicted to watching re-runs of The Office on Netflix. A friend like that is definitely something to be thankful for!
“She doesn’t care if I live in a Shack or a Mansion! Always there,” says Jimmy.
