All in the Family!

Gone are the days when a dog was just a dog. Our pets are professionally photographed, wear clothes, drink purified water, have parks dedicated to them, enroll in school, attend family functions, and provide us with endless entertainment. And when we loose a dog? It's like loosing a member of the family. I've seen this effect first hand with Joseph the Cocker Spaniel who belonged to my Aunt and Uncle and was 18 years old when he passed away. I had known him longer than I had known my own brother. Stories of him are told jut as those of a friend would be.
Since our pets have become so integrated into our everyday lives, I think it is important to know the benefits our furry friends give to us (as I write this Stella attacks me with kisses, it's like she's saying "you're right mom, tell them how great we are").
Research has been able to prove that our pets help to lower our blood pressure, reduce anxiety, boost our immune systems, and can even help us find that special someone.
That's right, goodbye LavaLife, hello Dog Park! I believe that it is human nature to want to engage with other humans, and pet owners have a tendency to migrate to common places. Your dog is your key to conversation. Unlike the online dating world, visiting a dog park lets you get out into the world and socialize with others while also socializing your dog. And the type of dog a person has says a lot about their personality. This may help you when deciding who you are going to strike up a conversation with.
Maybe you are a fitness buff? Someone who loves the outdoors and keeps yourself in good physical shape? Well then look for someone with a medium-sized breed of dog. Of course, every dog loves to get outdoors for exercise, but certain dogs such as Shepherds, Rottweiler's, and Husky's often require a great deal of outdoor exercise from their owners. Or maybe you're a family man and are looking for a partner who shares that same quality? Although all dogs can be raised to be great family companions, certain breeds of dogs such as boxers and golden retrievers are known for their great temperament with children. Someone who has chosen a family-oriented dog is probably looking for the same thing you are!
Our pets also offer us a stronger immune system, at a young age. Researcher James E. Gern, MD, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology states that "A growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with furred animals-- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals-- will have less risk of asthma." If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals-- a sign of stronger immune system activation, which helps to keep us healthy as we grow older. 
I also mentioned that our pets are natural mood-enhancers and help to keep our blood pressure in check. It only takes 15 to 30 minutes to start feeling less anxious. How you ask? During that time, our bodies go through physical changes where the level of coritsol, a hormone associated with stress, is lowered, and the production of serotonin, a chemical associated with well-being, is increased. And of course, pets are good for our hearts, too. It has been proven that heart attack patients with pets have a greater survival rate than those without, and pet owners in general show lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels --than non-owners.
So get off this blog and go spend some time with your dog, because now you know the endless benefits making your dog a part of the family!!