The Top Ten Reasons To Appreciate Your Dog This Christmas

Dogs really are our best friends! This list doesn’t fully capture everything they do for us, but if you’re lucky enough to be a pet parent, you’ll see that these points are true!

1. Your dog sees you naked, but still respects you

Honestly, how many people can you say that about? Seriously. Flab? He thinks you look fabulous. Your dog sees you at your worst, pre-shower, pre-makeup, pre-everything that makes you look presentable, and still looks at you like a deity. Or at least, keeps the chuckles to a minimum.

2. Your dog is content with being your fallback

Who is always there for you when your lunch date doesn’t show? Who is waiting for you happily after he or she’s been ignored because of your busy job social life? Who else would be thrilled to have you show up even though you’ve been out shopping for everyone else on your Christmas list? Even when you come home after a horrible break-up, vowing to never love again, your dog is happy to teach you how to do just that.

3. Your dog keeps you from getting lazy and large

That’s right. If you didn’t have to spend all that time taking your dog for walks, you’d likely be sitting around on your lazy bum. Sure, it seems like a drag when it’s ten degrees outside and your pooch is scratching at the front door, but your 24-hour personal trainer knows what’s best for you. Dogs help us to get moving!

4 Your dog helps you to think about someone besides yourself

Have you ever spent much time with someone who doesn’t like dogs? What do they all have in common? Complete self-absorption.

I don’t like dogs because they’re messy. They smell. They take work. They always want attention. I’m too busy.

Thanks to your four-legged friend, you’re not like those people. Your dog is a living, breathing reminder that the world is more than just about you.

5. Your dog is just stinkin’ cute

Sure, sometimes it’s easy to take our dog’s adorableness for granted. Sometimes you forget it. Memories of your dog’s puppyhood may seem thousands of miles away, and you often find yourself too busy to notice. But then you happen to look down from whatever “important” thing you’re doing and see those adorable eyes staring up at you, and you just can’t deny it. Your dog has more cuteness than a gazillion bugs’ ears.

6. Your dog gets you outside of your comfort zone

How often have you been introduced to a new experience just because of your dog? I’ve met lots of new friends, seen tons of new places and found scads of new activities merely because of my friendship with my dog.

There’s nothing like starting a conversation with a complete stranger in a park because your dog is vigorously sniffing said stranger’s privates. Yes, that happens more than I’d like to say. But I guess we can all learn from our dogs not to be quite so shy!

7. Your dog makes a great excuse

Just as your four-legged friend gives you a reason to get out and see the world, your dog also can be your excuse to stay in. “I have to rearrange my sock drawer” just isn’t going to fly.

If you claim to have an obsessive-compulsive dog at home who will eat through your refrigerator door if you don’t feed him by precisely 7:00 pm, somehow that seems more plausible.

If you do decide to make an appearance at a social event, it’s easy to make a graceful exit saying you have to get home to medicate your poor, sick pup.

8. Your dog reminds you that there is still good in the world

It’s easy to forget that life isn’t crummy sometimes. People cut you off in traffic. A lady at the department store looks down her nose at your less-than-current fashion. Your boss might be a jerk. Your cab driver overcharges you. I

These and many other life-draining experiences are enough to make you want to shut the world out, sack out on the couch, and eat Ben and Jerry’s all day. But when you get there, you’ll be greeted by someone who thinks the world of you, and who only wants to make you happy (and maybe a share a little of your ice cream with you.)

9. Your dog gets the short end of the stick too often

Sure, you may have nabbed the Milk Bone with the bow on it at the supermarket checkout last year, but is that all that your constant companion is worth? You’ve probably spent more on a random holiday gift pool at the office than on gifts for your dog, haven’t you?

What would mean a lot to your pet? How about a warm dog bed to get him up off the floor? What about freshening up their leash and collar from the drab, faded and fraying one they’ve been wearing for years? Some cute dog clothes that accentuate your dog’s cuteness and simultaneously keep them warm will be greatly appreciated. How about a new dog toy that will remind your best friend (and you) what it’s like to be a kid again? (OK, the shameless plugs are now over.)

10. Life is too short. Especially in dog years.

Though your pup will stay dedicated to your throughout his life, the time they are with us will always seem too short. If you’ve ever lost a beloved dog to old age, you know that no matter how long you’ve been together, it seems like you could have done more. More walks. More playing. More doting. When it’s all over, do you think you’ll wish you’d spent more time working and worrying? Not likely.

You know what you need to do? Go home and spend time with your best friend. Show them how much they mean to you. Your dog may not understand every word, but he or she will understand your heart.

Cedar Way Veterinary Clinic

2041 Calistoga Drive

New Lenox, IL 60451

815-462-7387

Visit us at www.cedarwayvet.com