This post is brought to you in partnership with Kibbles 'n Bits®. All opinions are my own.
Since adopting Lucas, our black lab, I've discovered a few surprising benefits of owning a dog. I say surprising, because this is the first time in my adult life I've owned a dog.
Every year, I make a renewal of my commitment to my health - a resolution of sorts- except working out and eating right is something I do every year. For me, it's not about losing weight and more about staying healthy - both physically and emotionally.
Recently, I've realized that owning a healthy and happy dog helps me stick to my resolutions more. Dogs offer a lot more than just companionship or a "playmate for the kids."
If you're a parent and own a dog you know that the primary care giver is… you! I mean, just check out Lucas' morning routine with me. He mostly hangs out with me -or maybe he knows "mom" is the one who is going to give him his favorite meal of Kibbles 'n Bits®, so he can't help but follow me around the house in excitement until I finally fill his bowl..
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And when Lucas is happy and playful, he can be more active with me and therefore, supporting my resolutions.
Having a dog helps me exercise more.
As a full grown black lab, Lucas walks anywhere between two and three miles per day. And that means, that on days where I am more prone to skip a workout, I lace up my sneakers and get moving. He's often the push I need to get out there. Taking my dog for a 30-minute walk every day is good for me but also for him! Double win.
Having a dog helps me feel less stressed.
There are days where I come home a bit overwhelmed with deadlines and the first person to greet me at the door is always my happy dog. He's always thrilled to see me and when I get close, he lays down for me to pet him.
Spending a few minutes getting a little bit of puppy love after going outside with him to play reduces my stress nearly immediately -it also makes me smile, and that's an immediate mood booster.
If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you already know that there are many days I bring my dog to the office and having him there is very therapeutic.
At the office, we have a dog bed, a fenced-in back yard, and his tasty kibble for lunch!
Perhaps, my favorite moment is when I warm up my food for lunch, both at home and the office, and he immediately sits by his dog bowl waiting for one of us to feed him -something my kids love helping out with.
And after that, he rolls over for some love. I tell you; between delicious food and lots of hugs, Lucas is always waiting for the next meal.
Having a dog helps me spend more quality time with my family.
As you can imagine, getting a dog has been like having a new baby. The last year and a half has flown by but Lucas clearly knows he's the baby of the family.
In the evenings, we all gather in the living room area and he squeezes himself on the sofa between the kids. Squeezing himself is an understatement. He often lays his 70lbs of dog on top of a few laps.
Clearly, no one wants to get up and bother the dog, like nobody wants to wake a sleeping baby so we end up sitting in the living room hanging out, watching television, or playing a board game for the last hour of the evening because of the dog.
At the end of the day, after I put the kids to bed and I have a minute to myself, I often reflect on how great it is to have a healthy and happy dog in our family. He brings a lot of joy to our lives!
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