I make life better for my father and mother. – I’m sure. What would they do without me?
The best part of the day is when my mother or father takes me out for a walk in the fresh air. Whether it’s a short walk in the neighborhood or a long walk in the woods, I just love to go outside. I breathe the fresh air, greet other dogs and sniff my way through the environment to find out if new dogs have passed by, that I have not met yet.
Whatever the weather, I love to come outside. Especially when we go somewhere, where I can get unleashed and run freely. When we are out walking, I often meet other dogs who are on tour with their parents.
I am not the only one who makes new acquaintances, -so does my mother and father. Most often they talk about us dogs. They tell funny stories about us or share good advice. I have noticed that the dog owners we meet on the road always have a smile on their lips and would like to greet. That way we get to know each other much better in the neighborhood.
Studies show that whether you are a Border Collie – like me – or a completely different breed, living with you makes your mother and father healthier and happier. Dog owners are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases and depression, because living with a dog provides daily exercise and social interaction. With a dog in the home there is always someone to talk to. You are never completely alone when at home.
Although I am a couple of years old, I still like to chase a ball and sit on the lap of my mother or father. I might never get too old to sit on the lap. I don’t think so.
I get so excited when I make my parents happy. I love their eyes twinkling when I approach them eagerly after a long working day. And if they have time to hug me or play game of tag, then everything is just perfect.
Articles
- BBC: Dog ownership lowers early death risk, study finds.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-42009932 - CNN: How an overweight shelter dog saved Eric O’Grey’s life
https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/26/health/dog-walking-exercise-saves-life/index.html
Studies
- The Pet factor, 2015.
The University of Western Australia.
Lisa Wood, Karen Martin, Hayley Christian, A. Nathan, C. Lauritsen, Stephen Houghton, I. Kawachi, S. Mccune.
https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/the-pet-factor-companion-animals-as-a-conduit-for-getting-to-know - Dog Ownership And Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study, 2017.
Karolinska Institutet + Stanford University School of Medicine + Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences + Uppsala University.
Mwenya Mubanga, Liisa Byberg, Christoph Nowak, Agneta Egenvall, Patrik K. Magnusson, Erik Ingelsson & Tove Fall.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-16118-6.
