Why rescuing a dog just may save your life

The day you spend visiting a dog shelter to choose your new pet might be the day you become a lifesaver. Rescuing a dog saves two lives — the dog’s and your own!

Let me explain. It’s no mystery that numerous wonderful dogs are euthanized in animal shelters across the United States and in other countries, too.

While adopting a shelter dog saves its life, it also brings you multiple benefits.

Improving your health

Research shows owning a dog improves their owners’ health.

Just petting a dog relieves stress. Petting a dog also can lower blood pressure and reduce high cholesterol levels.

Regular dog walks provide cardiovascular benefits for both dog and owner. And walks provide chances for socialization for both dog and owner, too.

Dogs are great listeners, they don’t judge, and they provide unconditional love. Their love can help ward off depression, even for people battling severe illnesses like cancer or AIDS.

When choosing a dog, consider the amount of space and time you have to care for it.

If you bring a dog home to an apartment and have to spend hours away at work, consider indoor training options such as the Omega Paw Litter Box — especially if you have a small dog like a chihuahua.

But if you want a bigger dog and have a house with a fenced yard, you can give them more freedom to spend time outdoors.

Just don’t forget that daily walks will continue to be an essential part of your routine. Walks provide not only exercise but also critical bonding time with your pup and that’s a big part of how rescuing a dog saves two lives.

Rakib Talukder is the founder of Self Pet Care; a resource-filled blog dedicated to providing honest pet care advice and information for pet lovers.