“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.” —Milan Kundera
Why do we consider dog man’s best friend? Try answering this question yourself and you’ll find the reasons are innumerable: perhaps it’s the way your dog tilt’s his head when he’s listening to you talk, or, how she greets you at the door with limitless, exuberant love. We experience joy in our dog’s inherent joie de vivre and capricious demeanor. From cuddles to kisses, brisk walks to breathtaking excursions — our dogs are our loyal companions through thick and through thin. The silver lining in being fortunate enough to care for a dog who will undoubtedly love us unconditionally is this: dogs teach us to recognize how good things are; they remind us to be ourselves; to play; and to laugh. Dogs have been considered a treasured part of the human family since before the written word. In fact, dogs have been man’s best friend for over 15,000 years!
If you’re reading this now you probably have that warm fuzzy feeling that makes you want to smother your dog with an almost embarrassing amount of adoration and affection. The kind where you tell your dog how beautiful he is with a silly, love-y dove-y voice and maybe even his pet name: “Sir Dolce The Divine, your awe jusht the hanshomest wittle guy, aren’t you? Aren’t youuuuuz!?” (Insert quasi-awkward face to fur nuzzling action). Well, the best has yet to come, so, snuggle up with your furry pal and prepare to have your heart warmed by these five amazing stories that prove that dog is indeed man’s best friend.
Foster child Buddy and his BFF Reagan the Labradoodle
This inseparable duo has taken Instagram by storm with their extraordinary adorableness. Sandi Swiridoff, Buddy’s adopted grandmother says she just couldn’t keep their story to herself so she began documenting their bond through photography and social media. Reagan was adopted at 8 weeks of age to help Swiridoff’s daughter cope with the pain of losing two of her foster children. Buddy was adopted by the family at 11 months of age, and Buddy has been surrounded by Reagan’s love ever since.
Belle the Beagle saves owner Kevin Wheeler from a Diabetic seizure
Kevin Wheeler suffers from Diabetes so he trained his Beagle, Belle, to sense when his blood sugar levels are plummeting. Should Wheeler be experiencing low blood sugar, Belle is to paw at him to signal that he should take a reading. One day, however, Wheeler experienced a diabetic seizure, at which point Belle bit down on the number 9 on his cell phone as she was trained to do. The number was programmed to dial 911, and within minutes, paramedics were on the scene. Belle was later awarded the VITA Wireless Samaritan Award — an award given to those who use cell phones to save lives. Belle is the first K9 recipient of this award, and owner Kevin Wheeler, has been well and safe ever since — thanks to his best friend, Belle.
Cheeto the Yorkie Therapy Dog at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Weighing in at only 8 lbs, this tiny bundle of joy is spreading love and smiles across the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Cheeto’s tiny stature allows her to sit on patients’ beds so that they can easily pet her, cuddle her, and sometimes even get a chance to see Cheeto dance! Cheeto and her owner spend about two hours a day, two days a week at the hospital while not only easing the stress of the patients, but that of the hospital staff, too. “Pet therapy is a powerful way to help get kids through tough things,” says Volunteer Services Supervisor Megan Hughes. “When a dog visits, the mood changes. Kids start to relax. You can see the anxiety drop away.” Cheeto is a wonderful example of man’s best friend be it a child in need or a physician who could use a little love on the job, too.
Nala the Toy Poodle goes to bingo night
At the Lyngblomsten senior housing community in St. Paul, Minnesota, Toy Poodle Nala joins her owner and nursing assistant, Doug Dawson, to work every day. Nala’s one and only job? To make the community’s residents happy. Once Doug arrives to work, he places Nala on the ground and she scurries off to do her own thing. Staff will find Nala at group therapy, bingo night, or simply hanging out in the lap of a hospice patient. As man’s best friend, Nala is intuitive: “If you’re depressed, she’ll make you laugh. If you’re stick, she’ll lay with you. If you’re dying, she can tell,” Doug says.
Ultra-marathon runner, Dion Leonard, accompanied by stray dog during footrace through China’s Gobi desert
In March of 2016, ultra-marathon runner, Dion Leonard, set foot on a six-day 250km race through China’s Gobi desert. The stray pup appeared while racers were ascending over the Tian Shan Mountains, happily trotting alongside the pack. Soon thereafter, the stray later named Gobi, latched onto Dion and wouldn’t leave his side. When it came time to cross rivers, Dion would carry Gobi in his arms. Dion made sure that Gobi was fed and hydrated during their adventure. They even napped together at basecamp. Dion ended up placing second in the race with Gobi by his side for an impressive 4 out of the 7 stages of the race including the final 10km stage to the finish line.
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