Health Magazine confirms what dog owners already know–that owning a dog is good for your health. In addition to the companionship, unconditional love and the joys they bring to our lives, studies show that dog ownership is bound to lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and increase your life expectancy.

“The breadth and depth of what dogs do to benefit humans’ happiness and longevity is pretty remarkable,” says judge Marty Becker, DVM, author of The Healing Power of Pets.

Part of this could be attributed to the fact that dogs make get up off our butts and play, move around and exercise, but I think dogs also reduce our stress and anxiety levels; they show us how to just be happy with what we’ve got.

Add to that the role dogs play as service companions and the ways that they are contributing to medicine—from detecting cancer, providing hope for autistic children, and comforting psychiatric patients—and there’s really no argument that owning a dog has a positive impact on your health and your quality of life.

My favorite part from the article?

What kind of dog is best? Dr. Becker especially sings the praises of small, mixed-breed shelter pups.

Um, hello? That’s Maisey to a T! Not that I needed a doctor to tell me that she’s the perfect dog, but the small shelter mutt shout-out sure is amiable.

Maisey helped me through a difficult transition in my life. What exactly her presence did for me is indescribable, but I’ll never doubt the power and beauty of having a dog in my life.

We’ve had a rough week. On Monday evening, I came home to a sick Maisey who wouldn’t stop throwing up. After I realized she was trying, but couldn’t go #2, I got scared something more serious might be going on. So 10:30 at night we rushed to the emergency room.

I cried as I rushed into the emergency room, I’d convinced myself something was seriously wrong. After I told the technician her symptoms, their reaction did little to calm my fears. She was rushed into the back and I was left standing there, worried sick.

After $400 of care, it turns out everything is OK. The technician was even surprised she was going to be going home that same night. I left the emergency room armed with antibiotics, anti nausua medication and instructions for a strict 3-5 day diet.

I have no idea why this pup has such a sensitive stomach. Perhaps during her homeless stint on the streets she was eating things not ideal for a sensitive chihuahua tummy. Perhaps her previous owner didn’t feed her well, I don’t know.

I do know that our frightening Monday night reminded me just how much she brings to my life, sensitive tummy or not. I can’t imagine my life without her.

So I’ve spent the rest of this week keeping her comfortable, hiding pills in cheese, watching her detect the undesirable taste and managing to spit it out and still get all the cheese, and mixing up a tummy coating medication and injecting it into her mouth (much to her distaste).

But I’m her mom, so this is my job. It may seem thankless, but that’s what being a mom is all about, right?

Ben Stein offers some advice on how to get through tough economic times:

Get a dog. 

I totally agree.

My trip from Phoenix to Portland wasn’t easy. Packing, unpacking, getting lost in a new town, and those first grocery trips for a new place that can top $400. It’s been stressful, so I decided to treat myself to a facial tomorrow morning. But I’m not the only one a little stressed out about the new environment, Maisey is too! She hasn’t been eating as much, she’s not totally comfortable in the new digs and is basically staying as close to me as she can. Right now, she’s fast asleep and I’m glad. Hopefully a good nap will rest her anxious mind. Ever since I set up her crate, she’s been hanging out in there. I’m sure it’s familiar and comfortable to her.

So what are the best ways to make a transition like this easier on our pets? Here are a few things I’ve picked up along the way:

• Keep familiar items available and out in the open - As soon as I set up Maisey’s crate, she was eager to jump right in and take a nap.
• Bring their toys out to play - Maisey lightened up when I unpacked her favorite squeeky duck.
• Show them around - Maisey and I scoped out the new digs together. I gave her plenty of time to sniff around the new backyard and to explore each room in the house.
• Don’t leave for an extended period of time, too soon - I’ve been taking short trips out of the house (20-30 minutes). Until this feels like home for her, she might worry I’m not coming back.
• Reward them for the little things – If they go potty outside (even if they’ve been potty trained for a long time) reward them! Practice a few sit and stays with a reward. Dogs like structure and consistency, so this should be comforting to them.  
• Don’t encourage the anxiety – At my old place, Maisey hated the balcony. Here, she appears to fear the refriderator. I’m practicing walking through the kitchen with her and making it no big deal. The worst thing you can do is baby them or pick them up and coddle them, it will make them think the anxiety or fear is warranted.

Most of all, be understanding. The move can be just as, if not more so stressful for your pet, as it is for you. Dogs are creatures of habit and don’t enjoy change. A little care and attention can make the whole process easier on both of you.

Obviously, I love dogs. Those who know me personally, know I also have a thing for ducks. So, of course I needed to share this video with you. Don’t you just love the simplicity of friendship in the animal world?

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Yesterday was my last day at work in Phoenix, AZ. Monday is my first day at work in Portland, OR. This is the first time in my life I’m making a big life change for myself. It may sound odd that a 27 year old girl has never made a choice strictly for herself, but I haven’t.

So finally, I’m carving a life for myself. For purely selfish reasons – and I like this feeling. It’s scary, I’m mourning my old life but I’m inspiried by the new possibilities. Maisey is excited about new parks, new smells. I’m excited about new friends, new places to see, visit and eat.

The adventure begins on March 25th when Maisey and I pile our toys in the car and start driving. A new beginning, a new opportunity, a new life.

““

This story is beautifully simple and will make you smile.

I like showing the world that I’m a dog lover. Whether it’s in my blog, on my clothes or the fact that you’ll find me with my dog more often that not. Well now I’ve found an item to drool over that takes it to a whole new level.  Jewelery designer Vicente Agor creates a personalized necklacefrom a digital image of your pet. The catch? The one-inch pendant will cost you over $1,000. I remember my parents making me sit still for sillouette paintings as a child. This is the same concept but immortalizing the image in a piece of 18 karat gold. A perfect gift for this Dog Park Mom!

I even have the perfect picture ready to go! How long until my birthday?

I love independent films. It drives my boyfriend crazy that all that comes in from Netflix are movies he’s never heard of.

I don’t watch independent movies exclusively, maybe I just watch more than most, but I watch independent movies because I enjoy watching reflections of real life. Some people watch movies to escape real life drama. I watch movies to reflect on real life drama, and life doesn’t always have an identifiable antagonist, a hero, or a wrapped up resolution after 180 minutes. I enjoy tragedy, internal stuggling and authenticity. To me, a good film is rich with character development and emotion. Please don’t assume I’m a film elitist that associates intellectualism with movie genres. That’s not the case at all. It’s simply a personal preference.

I loved Marley and Me, and now there is another movie coming out portraying the incredible human-animal bond. It’s an independent film called WENDY and LUCY. The movie starts Michelle Williams who plays a lost young woman on a journey across the country with her dog Lucky as her only companion. Based on the trailer, it appears to fit all my criteria for good movie – real life struggle, pain and self discovery. All while illustrating the alliance and emotional connection between a girl and her dog.

Stay tuned for a review on WENDY and LUCY, as soon as it hits a theater near me.

The economy is bad, I get it. In fact, if the news could stop reminding me for awhile, that would be great. I promise not to forget. Times are tough, but it’s times like these that make us appreciate the things we do have – and I have a wonderful dog.

Studies show that animals provide anxiety relief and support for stressed out college students and that’s even more of a reason to love that a growing number of colleges are offering animal friendly dorms. There is no denying that animals can reduce stress. During a hardship, it’s good to remind ourselves of that, and use the opportunity to reconnect with our four-legged best friends.

• Stay home! So what if you can’t afford to go out to dinner and a movie tonight. Your dog loves when your home, so curl up on the couch with your latest Netflix arrival and spend some quality time with your pooch. 

• Your dog is your best exercise partner. Need an excuse to get off the couch? Dogs let us know when it’s time to go outside and play. Instead of hitting the gym, take your buddy hiking, for a long walk or a trip to the dog park. You’ll get some exercise, a chance to socialize, feel less stressed and your dog will love you for it.

• They don’t know that toy isn’t new. Gather up your dogs toys, run them through the washing machine, and then give them back to your dog one by one. You can even take the old toy out of a PetSmart bag if you think you’re dog is on to you. I’m wondering if this would work for my closet as well. Maybe I’ll throw an old top in a Nordstrom bag and see if I can fool myself.

• Remember that money isn’t everything. The thought of being broke may stress you out but your dog doesn’t care. Belly rubs are the highest form of currency in their world, and belly rubs never lose their value. I realize no one is going to walk around thinking money doesn’t matter, but when the anxiety kicks in, try thinking like your dog – even if for only an hour. Enjoy the simple things. 

• You are everything to them. Your dog loves you – unconditionally. Nothing makes your dog happier than you walking in the door. Watch how your dog reacts to seeing you at the end of the day. Even if you’ve been ridiculed by your boss, you’re feeling worthless or you just got laid off, your dog thinks no less of you. You are still the best thing in their lives.

Like I said before, times are tough – there’s no denying it. But the love between a girl and her dog is recession proof.