by Arlene Hauben

Created on: May 16, 2010

The other day a friend said to me, "Why do you have a dog?  You don't need a dog." I thought about that and understood where she was coming from.  She meant that dogs can be a lot of work.  They have many needs that can take up your time and cost a considerable amount of money.  

What my friend does not understand is how much a dog can enrich and benefit humans and the way we live.  In fact, I hate to use the word "dog" so from here on, I will try as much as possible to personalize this article by referring to my one-year-old beauty, whose name is Grace.  She is a black Standard Poodle and is more like an affectionate, sweet child to me. 

Grace provides a focus to our lives and gives us a living creature to care about other than ourselves.  She forces me to go out for walks, talk to strangers, connects me to nature, and makes me grateful for life.  Those are life-sustaining benefits that stimulate physical and mental health.

People who are "dog people" tend to see spirituality in their animals.  They seem to read our minds, follow us around, move with our every move.  The inter-species connection is so strong that it suggests the existence of soul.  When a strong bond forms, which usually happens between human and dog, you can read the mind of your dog, know when she is hungry, thirsty, happy, fearful, or in pain.  This feeling between person and animal is incredibly powerful, stimulating your instincts about every aspect of your life, furthering health and well-being.

One of the greatest benefits of a Grace is sociability.  Like me, many people are shy and self-conscious or awkward.  They tend to hold back and put up walls against people and the world.  Grace forces me to go outside of myself and talk to people at pet stores, dog parks, on the street, and at restaurants.  Because of Grace and Jake, the wonderful Standard Poodle that came before her, I have formed long-lasting friendships. I have even made work connections that have continued for years, contributing to my income.  This is Jake's legacy to me.

Grace's love and adoration has a healing force for those in the household with illness.  Once she came on the scene, depression melted and joy took over.  She certainly does keep us busy though, chasing rabbits in the bushes, discovering tortoises that wandered from the lake, and pointing at birds before her final pounce.  Fortunately, they can fly away.

Grace and Jake have taught me how to appreciate the smallest pleasures of life.  When she rides in the car with the wind blowing, she is ecstatic.  When she looks out the back window, she is mesmerized by the motion and activities around her.  When the plane flies overhead, she is the first to notice.  Jake and Grace have taught me to savor the whole world.  What greater benefit is there but to learn how to live each moment of life the way Grace does?

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