November is one of my favorite month’s.  One reason is both Stan and I celebrate our birthdays. Another reason is Thanksgiving which maybe be my favorite holiday (other than Christmas).  We shouldn’t need a holiday to be thankful but a special day is a good reminder to stop and thank.

One thing that I am thankful for is  dogs -  Tucker and all the other dogs that have meant so much  to me through my whole life. I was wired to love dogs and was one of those little girls that wanted a dog from the moment I could say the word.  I could write pages. But for now, let’s stop for a minute here and “Be Thankful for Dogs”.

1- Thanks for the laughter.
   A survey showed that 94% of pet owners say that their pet makes them smile more than once a day.  Tucker doesn’t just settle for a smile.  He is a real clown - and I know that he likes to make me laugh.  Of course, laughter elevates your mood.  Many medical studies  suggest that laughter also helps to: reduce stress, lower your  blood pressure, boost your  immune system,
 improve your brain functioning, and  protect your heart.

 2- Thanks for the emotional support.
    Dogs, with their unconditional love and  their non-judgmental nature, can benefit many people.
A- Children.  Of course, we’ve all heard the idea that a pet can teach a child responsibility.  That may not always work.  (Many a mom can tell you.) My childhood dog was a beagle mix named Lady- she was a great ball player (even though I wasn’t) , the subject of many stories, the patient wearer of many costumes, the keeper of secrets, the one who shared my dreams, and dried my tears.  But research is showing that dogs can offer a child many other benefits - like being a reading partner. Read the article about R.E.A.D.
B- Senior citizens.  We all need to be needed.  That is exactly what a pet can provide for an older person - a reason to get up in the morning. I know this was true for an older friend of mine named  Alice. When I got Tucker as a puppy, she came to see him and help me “celebrate”.  She lived alone and was facing the decision of putting down her old dog.  She  asked me if there were any puppies left from Tucker’s litter.  That’s how she got Tucker’s brother Shadow.  He brought her great joy for  two years until her sudden death.
C- The empty-nest  (or soon to be) mom.  I know a number of moms who have dogs to help them make the transition from “so busy” mom to empty house.  Alice’s niece took Shadow after Alice’s death, “for her kids”.  She now admits that he is wonderful company for her.    

3- Thanks for the social opportunities.
    Dogs give us the chance to get out. Whether  it is just a walk down the road, or to a dog class or event, dogs provide a great reason to start a conversation.  Many people, who would walk  by me alone, will stop and ask questions about Tucker. “Can my son pet him?  What kind of dog is he?  Where did you get his leash? ...”  I’ve even had great conversations in a store when I was just buying dog food.  Studies also indicate that residents in care facilities are more apt to attend an activity if a dog will be there and even interact more with each other when a dog is present.   Read “The Foxy Fund”  for the story of a man named Karl and a little dog named Foxy.

4- Thanks for the other physical benefits.
A- The dog’s  need for exercise helps their owners increase their level of activity.  (Consider the Workout Walk with The Sensible Dog.)  Even just grooming and feeding a dog helps to keep owners more active.
B- Having a dog increases the odds for surviving a heart attack. (Pet owners have a 1 in 15 chance, as opposed to a 1 in 87 chance.)
C- Petting a dog reduces your blood pressure.
D- Pets owners are found to have lower cholesterol.
E- A study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that the “presence of a pet  was associated with lower perceived and actual responses to stress.”   

Wow - “THANK YOU DOGS”.