A little over a year ago my family had to make the difficult decision to put our dog of 10 years to sleep. Homer, my beautiful and perfect yellow lab developed a cancerous wart on the side of his mouth and was slowly crumbling before my eyes. Despite the difficulty, in the end it was the best decision to put our favorite pup out of his misery. Ever since then, the house has been lonely. We don’t hear the pitter patter of his nails on the hard wood or the scraping of his paw on the screen door. When I put my hand down beside the couch there isn’t a soft little body covered in fur to pet or play with. Of course, I have grown to accept the fact that he is gone and have continued on with my life. But I have to know; was I better off with my pup hanging around? Was I happier knowing that an animal was living under the same roof as me? Are dog owners less likely to be depressed than non dog owners?

The Huffington Post published an article, complete with GIFS, on 13 reasons why dogs are better for you. While it is not very scientific, it is a good place to start. Apparently dogs can detect whether you not have cancer, promote exercise through the necessity of walking them, and strengthen relationships “between humans.” Reason number 5 really stands out to me though. The author, Renee Jacques, claims that “just looking at your dog will make you feel happier.” Is this true? A “2009 study by Miho Nagasawa of Azabu University in Japan” supports this claim. When a human spends time with a dog, his/her oxytocin level increases. Oxytocin is essentially a love hormone that “acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.” Nagasaki measured the “urinary concentrations of OT concentrations of owners before and after interaction” with dogs. There was a controlled and experimental group. The controlled group was instructed not to stare directly at their dogs. The experimental group spent time with their dogs like normal. But, within the experimental group were two sub groups consisting of different amounts of time spent with the dogs. The owners who spent more time with their dogs recorded higher levels of OT. This showed a “high correlation” between a dog’s gaze and the amount of OT released. But, in class we learned that correlation does not equal causation. Is this due to chance or reverse causation? Could their possibly be a third variable, Z, involved?

Scientists have come to the conclusion that “OT is at least partially responsible for the calm, relaxing feeling” humans get when interacting with dogs. In another study, OT levels were examined during an exchange between humans and dogs after they have been separated all day. The study found that the interaction with the dog helped to lower the stress of the men and women after a long day at work.

Other studies have found that being around dogs helps to lower ones blood pressure and harmful hormones that are involved with depression and anxiety. Some other studies analyzed the effect dogs have on humans social behavior. 3 different studies “found consistent evidence” supporting the correlation between pets and humans social relationships. The 3rd study conducted was experimental:

“Although Studies 1 and 2 were correlational, we conducted a third study in the lab to experimentally examine the ability of pets to benefit people. In this experiment, 97 pet owners came to the lab and some were induced to feel socially rejected while others were not. Afterwards, pet owners either (1) wrote about their pet, (2) wrote about their best friend, or (3) drew a map of campus (a control condition). As expected, those who drew a map after experiencing social rejection felt worse at the end of the experiment than they were at the beginning of the study, showing that our social rejection manipulation was effective. However, those who wrote about their dog were just as happy as those who wrote about their best friend (both groups did not show any negative feelings, even after the rejection experience was induced). In short, thinking about one’s pet staved off the negativity that accompanies social isolation as effectively as thinking about one’s best friend. To borrow from the old adage, although pets may not be one’s best friend, pets may be every bit as good!”

So yes, dogs are a mans best friend. They make us happier and give us the ability to make stronger social ties between humans. But, why is it that animal abuse is still present. How is it possible to abuse something that makes us so happy? Animal abusers are closely linked with inflicters of “violent crimes against people.” The abusive seed is usually planted during traumatic experiences in childhood. So, something within them must be wired to be immune to the cuteness of the canines. Perhaps that would be a good start for my next post.

I agree that life without a dog is not a life I want to live. Now, I scientifically know why Homer made me smile all the time. If only I could have a puppy in my dorm, then I would be able to relieve myself of all the college stress!