When you think of dogs, what do you think of? Do you think of how adorable they can be? Do you think of your favorite breed? Do you think of barking or soft fur? Do you remember that one dog you saw at a park that chased a rabbit all the way down the side walk as you watched the owner chase after it? Regardless of what you think of, dogs have such a significant and powerful impact on humans.

Dogs have this unintentional way of comforting people, and it is one of the most beautiful things I have experienced in my life. Imagine sitting on your couch watching a TV show when your dog hops up on your sofa and lays right next to you. It was completely unexpected, but somehow, you feel this sense of content and ease. You feel loved and overjoyed this beautiful animal is in your presence. He gives you a little lick on your face and you notice his tail wagging because he is just as happy as you are in this very moment.

Dogs are motivating animals. They always have an ample amount of energy, which can be a great thing for us lazy humans. Dogs are encouraging; they want to play or go for a walk, so they will make you get involved with them! I know, exercise is definitely something humans aren’t necessarily fond of, but dogs make it so much more enjoyable. Instead of taking a walk outside by yourself, you are able to share your experience with your dog! You get to walk around your neighborhood trying to stop your dog from sniffing every mailbox or chasing every bird he sees. I’m sure you’ll also see a few neighbors out walking their dogs too. Let’s be honest, if you weren’t out walking your dog, would you have stopped to say hi to that neighbor that is incredibly annoying? Probably not. Dogs are important because they get you out and moving and interacting with so many people. They keep you healthy without you even realizing it.

Dogs are so much fun to be around, as they are constantly doing funny (and sometimes annoying) things like stealing a shoe or finishing half of a sandwich I’m sure you were excited to eat. They will jump on your bed at six in the morning because they are hungry. They shed and they drool and you can’t forget about those unfortunate “accidents” in the house. They may get under your skin, but at the end of the day, they will be the ones by your side. You will notice the "I'm sorry I ate your sandwich" eyes as their ears perk up and next thing you know, you're back on that couch laying right next to your best friend.

Dogs bring light and positivity into our lives. They are constantly smiling and trying to make everyone happy. Some dogs are even trained to be therapeutic because of how positively they can impact people. However, there are so many dogs in this world that are abandoned, abused and don’t have anywhere safe to go. They feel lonely and scared, yet still tend to bring joy into a person’s life. Remember that feeling of comfort your dog gave you? Well, now it’s your turn to return that feeling to them. YOU are the only type of family they will ever have. YOU are the person that they fall asleep thinking about. YOU are the person they wake up to ready to start the day with. YOU are the person they will love and cherish for their short life. Dogs are so important in this life of ours. They bring happiness, love and coziness to everyone. A dog is a man’s best friend, forever.