My Dog May Be Good for My Health

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Thanks for posting a very interesting article. Dogs also care deeply as much as dog owners care about them. I also read an interesting article on www.englishbulldogpuppyblog.com that tells why we shouldn’t feed our dogs with chocolate, raisins and grapes.

doggydog83562 of TX 9:10AM August 03, 2009

Nice article

arhiderrr of DE 8:44AM February 28, 2009

Dear January Payne,
I am Hannah and I am a sophomore in high school in the chicago land area. I am writing you to share my thought and opinions on your latest article, “My Dog May Be Good for My Health,” dated March 7, 2008. When I first saw this article I knew it would be perfect for an upcoming project in my Contemporary Issues class. I chose this article, because of my love for animals. I have grown up with having cats all my life, and I feel that having a companion is a necessity to live a healthy life. I think that all nursing homes should have daily visits with animals; it will give them something to look forward to and, a companion to cheer them up. In this article it stated that pet ownership has been linked to reduced stress levels and blood pressure. I wasn’t surprised with this statistic at all, and I strongly agree. I think the bond with a human and an animal can be stronger then any relationship out there, you will stick with this companion for several years just like a child.
I strongly I agree with many of the points given in this article, however there are some that I don’t fully agree with. I disagree with the statement that says pet owners are more over weight compared to people that don’t own pets. Owning a pet keeps you more active, however there seems to be a high increase in pets that are over weight today. There are so many pet owners out there, which I don’t think you can relate weight to the topic of owning an animal. Also, results have showed that asthma was found more with pet owners, then anyone else. I don’t agree that your allergies will be affected later in life when your pet is gone. Once you have allergies, you’re not going to randomly form new ones even after living with that certain pet for several years. In my contemporary issues class we have touched on new findings about pets, and how they are good for humans to own.
I want to thank you for reading my letter, and for your consideration of publishing this comment. I feel that today teens play a large role in voicing their opinions on current issues. Being a sophomore in high school, I feel that it’s important to be aware what is going on around the world today. Teens today are getting more involved in what’s going on around the world, then ever before. It is important that our thoughts be heard, because we are the generation of tomorrow. I want to thank you again for taking time out of your day to read my letter, and I hope to read more of your articles in the near future.
Sincerely,
A sophmore high school student

Hannah Hardison of IL 10:02AM March 20, 2008

Hello fellow sufferers!!! I have had Bipolar disease for 33 years. I have loved all kinds of terriers and birds. I enjoy them waking me up in the morning and getting me out of bed. I don't know what I would do without the mess of a terrier. Fill in the holes in my lawn . can anyone tell me if small tires are safe for dogs to chew on. My dog whitey chewed the bottoms of my drapes so that he could see outside. He is most intelligent pet I ever had. I might write a book on him. First he started bringing his lease to take him then he brang my socks,pants and hooded sweat shirt to me. I have a Humane society building down the block from me. They asked me if I would like a twin companion for my dog. I told them no thanks. My neighborhood can't handle another one. BYE BYE

dennisj of IN 12:14PM March 13, 2008

"...he has grown used to accompanying me everywhere: to family cookouts, the supermarket, the post office, even to the mall"
I find it rude to take your dog where it does not belong -- supermarkets, etc. There are laws for a reason and "sneaking"dogs into those places (markets, motels, restaurants, etc.) in your oversize bag is disrespecful of the other customers. Not everyone likes your dog and you should respect their feelings, too.

C Porter of ID 2:40PM March 12, 2008

I love my two boys! ...the 4 legged kind :)

Ann of GA 11:24PM March 11, 2008

Are you kidding ?
Just watching those great dog stories on Animal Planet calms me down, and since I pulled CNN from my TV's "favorites menu" I've been a new man.
Rob.

Rob of CA 8:19AM March 09, 2008

I believe that dogs are good for one's health 100%. When my mother was three years of age she always had a dog. When she married and had her children she always had at least one dog in our family. As we grew older, the number of pets grew from one to at least three in the family. From the time I was a todler to the present; our family has owned a total of sixteen dogs. Each dog's date of birth and date of death was marked and entered into our pet book.
At the present, we own six dogs. To become a dog owner is a person who is been showered with blessings from God above! Dogs love you for WHO you are, not WHAT you have. Dogs give unconditional love! And while the responsibility can sometimes give one a headache; the joy of ownership is measured in complete devotion of the dog to his or her owner! Having had dogs since I was a child I can say.....God provided dogs as a way as an emotional outlet for loneliness and depression. And it is from my own personal experience that dogs understand more about human inneundo's, language, vocabulary, non-verbal body language to a remarkable degree that can be described as on a "spiritual plane". Ask any child psychologist as to what kind of therapy for children would be considered the best overall therapy and most child pschiatrists would recommend "pet therapy". Unconditional love, understanding, companionship 24/7 and someone who is always ready to listen to your problems, your fears, and your victories or happy memories! I guess I will ALWAYS have a dog! Besides, they are always there when you need them the most, and rest assured, they never let your down! If I would ever meet someone my pet did not like.......I will trust my pet's judgement! They are always right!
I can not feel sympathy towards those who do not like animals or would take the time to welcome animals into their lives! The benefits of having dogs (or cats, or horses) is just beginning to be seen through the lenses of the scientists. But God Almighty and those who have always had a dog in their household know that dogs are gifts from Him to those who treasure the love and daily companionship which dogs give to their owners.....no questions asked 24/7 !!!!!!!

D.W. of WI 7:46PM March 08, 2008