Well, duh!! Any normal person would smile at the sight of a jumble of puppies prancing around with their tongues sticking out and their tails wagging around. The question is, then, what is it about the instinctive human nature that connects dogs to happiness?

A majority of US households own a pet, and the most popular pet in the US is a dog. What is is about these four-legged creatures that have everyone head over heels in love with what they see? Perhaps it is their obvious cuteness. Or perhaps it is the stress-reducing chemical released from the human brain when in the presence of a dog. According to an article titled, “Dogs help humans reduce stress,” the author explains that, “Studies show that interactions with therapy animals can decrease stress in humans. Playing with or petting an animal can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease production of the stress hormone cortisol” (animalsmart.org). The same study shows that out of all animals, dogs, in particular, seem to reduce these stress levels more so than any other animal.

Therapy dogs, for example, are protected by law the ability to stay with their owner at all times to provide the therapeutic comfort he/she needs to be able to go about his/her day normally. Thus, it is scientifically proven that these dogs do indeed provide such comfort.

Nonetheless, it is not only therapy dogs that increase happiness. Normal, everyday dogs also have this extraordinary ability. Elise Eckburg (10) explained that, “simply being around dogs brings out my inner happiness. It is hard to be sad when your dog comes up to you after a rough day, cuddles up to you, and licks your face.” Indeed, it is hard.

Sure, raising a puppy may be hard, but the results are well worth the hard work. For those who cannot afford the upbringing of a puppy, which includes vet bill upon vet bill, there are many other options in order to obtain the same results. Purchasing an adult dog rather than a puppy saves both money and effort. Another option is to rescue a dog at a local shelter. Either way, it is safe to say that owning a dog of any kind results in immediate happiness.

Without a doubt, dogs are a golden blessing that walk this earth day after day, so it is the human race’s job to treat them the way we would want to be treated.