10 Reasons Why You Should NOT Have a Dog as a Pet

Do you wonder if you should get a dog? Have you weighed the pros and cons and stress over the extra work and time it will take? 

Hubby and I rescued over 30 dogs and each one of them became a family member quickly. Each one knew they were loved, wanted, and they would no longer be abused. In our current climate of unrest and stress, NOTHING is more calming than the love of a four-legged fur baby. 

Yes, there is deep hurt when you lose your precious furry family member and may not want to ever adopt another. But, there are hundreds of them waiting for a good home. I am convinced that they are completely aware they were rescued and will do anything to protect you and love you with every ounce of their being. 

Here is my list of why we need a dog in our life:

1. You will no longer need an alarm clock. Dogs have internal clocks with alarms that go off right on time. They know when it is time to get up, to eat, to exercise, and a host of other activities. 

2. You will no longer need to discipline yourself to get in your daily exercise. Your dog will make sure you know who is in charge of the schedule. He is. If you are late, he may bark, whine, fart, cry, drool, jump, or get his leash to be sure you get your exercise in - on time.  

3. You will laugh more. Dogs have an uncanny way to find your funny bone and trigger it. They know how to make themselves look silly so we will laugh AT them. Their sense of humor is more advanced than ours and they know precisely when to make you laugh.   

4. You are perfect in their sight. No matter how homely, dumb, fat, or unloving you feel on any given day....to your dog you are the most beautiful, loving, and the smartest creature they ever met. They only have eyes for you.

5. You will no longer need a doorbell or a security system. Their hearing is so precise they can hear a cheese wrapper being opened three rooms away while they are sound asleep. They will hear a car approaching your driveway before you see the car. 

6. You will become more social. Walking down the street, people will stop to say "Hello" to your dog which leads to further conversation ..... with both of you. 

7. Dogs can help prevent asthma and allergies. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it showed that when exposed to dust from households where dogs were permitted inside and outside, microbes developed that protected young children from developing allergens. 

Dogs have been trained to sniff out cancer cells and often alert their owners before there are any symptoms. 

8. You can safely share your most intimate secrets with your dog. They will never tell anyone. They will never pass judgment. 

9. When you are hurting emotionally or physically, your dog knows you need extra love and attention. 

 

10. They are the world's greatest babysitters. When our son was a toddler, our Sheltie stood at the end of the driveway and if our son got too close to the road, she would nudge him back into the yard. She was never taught to do that. It was instinct.

Each furry member of our family has been unique and special. Some were funnier than others. Some were more protective. But they all have the same traits in common. They loved us more than life and never let us down. 

They are the key to a happier life. If you don't need more love, fun, affection, laughs, cuddles.....then don't get a dog.