Puppy Love - Great for your health
Is there such a thing as puppy love? Experts would say yes, there is such a thing as puppy love. Dogs are dedicated companions and friends who can quickly become a part of the family. In the past several years, scientific evidence suggests that dogs benefit in more ways than just their devotion to us. Numerous studies have shown that dogs and puppy love are a big help in lowering blood pressure, easing the loneliness of the elderly in nursing homes, and helping children overcome allergies.
There is now new research from the University of Missouri-Columbia suggesting the hormonal changes that occur when humans and dogs interact could help people cope with depression and certain stress-related disorders. Preliminary results from a study show that a few minutes of petting your dog prompts a release of a number of “feel good” hormones, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin.
Therapy dogs have been used to visit nursing homes, calm traumatized children and help ease pain in people undergoing physical rehab; however this type of animal-assisted therapy is still in the early stages. Researchers are trying to determine which types of people would best benefit from being with pet animals
and how often they need to interact with them to get results. Simply petting or playing with your dog and receiving puppy love from them can be and instant stress reliever.
That’s what the experts say, and I can attest to that. I have had two pet dogs in my lifetime, so I know a little bit about puppy love. My family got our first dog, Nikki, when I was fourteen and she became a constant companion. Even when I was grown and had moved out of the house, she would often sit on the top step, just waiting for me to come. My mom would say that she would instinctively know when I was coming and would just sit there and wait for me. No matter how stressed I was feeling, it calmed me and would warm my heart that someone was happy to see me. That is puppy love. My beloved Nikki died at the ripe old age of eighteen and a half, quite old for a dog.
A couple of months later, my husband and I purchased a Bichon Frisse for our children. One of the ways Buster shows his puppy love for us is by sitting on top of the sofa in front of the window and watching for us to come home when we’ve been away. Although I’m quite busy with three children and a household to care for, I still find time to just pet Buster. Often times if I am sitting on the sofa, he’ll come up and sit with me and show me puppy love my snuggling against my leg and then rolling over wanting his belly rubbed.
If you are feeling lonely or under stress, you may want to think about buying a dog. The puppy love and friendship you will receive in return may be a great benefit to your health.