There's something about animals that make people simply melt on the inside. But that's a rather broad spectrum of furry, feathered, and scaly creatures in the world. So let's narrow it down to one: dogs. And to make your heart melt even further—puppies.

Ah yes, puppies. Those lovable balls of fluff that are so darned cute that they make your Adorable Radar go off the charts the moment you sent your eyes upon them. It's like our brains are hardwired to love those innocent little creatures. It's so hard to ignore the temptation of playing with puppies. So when a friend of mine invited me over to play with her new puppies, barely a month or two old, I was so down.

Let me drop everything that I am doing right now and I'll fly over to your house.

Well, since the puppies were so young, they were still at the “eat and sleep” stage but hey, that's no problem with me. Please, don't let me stop you. Go ahead and sleep in arms, my child.

It was also on that same day that I realized how incredibly awkward I am with handling puppies. Naturally, when a person doesn't have enough practice with doing something, their initial actions tend to be clumsy. It took some prodding and teaching by my friends until I could comfortably pick up and hold a puppy in my arms. Then there was the teasing of how I couldn't hold a puppy without instructions and how terrible I must be with holding babies. But that's another story.

All was well with the world for those precious moments while I had a napping puppy cradled in my arms. Until it started squirm in its sleep and tried to nestle deeper into my cardigan (which I have dubbed the “cavern of darkness” for dramatic effect). Unfortunately, I am of the extremely ticklish type, so that's where I drew the line.

Gingerly, I placed the puppy back down on the floor like a precious little jewel, trying to avoid waking it up in the process. Guilt gnawed at my insides as I watched it waddle away to someone else's lap.

Ah, how nice it must be to have a puppy in the house. Having pets around in general just does wonderful things to both your mental and physical health. It's no surprise that pet owners have healthier, happier lives compared to those to don't. Pets fulfill our need for social support and interactions, as well as and give us a sense of belonging. Pets really are the gift that keeps on giving.

Let me also take the time to offer another important reminder. While anyone is free to adopt and care for pets, only do so if you are willing to take on the responsibilities that come with it. While puppies may be small and cuddly, that can all change in the span of a little more than a year when it reaches its full-grown size. Try to do some research before you commit to adopting a pet. Make sure that you can care your furry friend for the long-term so you can fully enjoy each other's company for the many years to follow.