The Power of the Paws

From a personal point of view I now subscribe to the saying that dogs are man’s best friend. My sometimes stubborn self did not realise the true benefits that a dog can have on your mental health and general wellbeing until around 2018, at the tender age of 48.  

Sure there had been plenty of dogs in my life, but they had always just been the ‘pets’ and I got no more involved with them other than feeding every now and then and occasional trips to the vet. There was certainly no ‘connection’ made.  The next two 4 legged friends that I would encounter in life changed all that. 

The connection thing I speak of is a bit of a mystery. As we know, personal connections are common in ‘human life’.  We meet so many people on a daily basis, some we connect with, some we don't. There are those that we never ever see again (or even want to) and on the other hand those that we really get along well with and can't get enough of, who become our closest friends and usually the ones you can catch up with and pick up exactly where you left off the last time you were together. It just clicks.   I guess the same can be said of dogs. 

My story begins with my son and his girlfriend bringing home to our house a massive 35kg German Shepherd named Keesha.  “Keesh”   was abandoned by her elderly owner at the vet where my

(now) daughter in law worked. Keesh was destined to be euthanised. My son had also been walking Keesh on a daily basis whilst he recovered from a footy related shoulder injury, so they were already building a bond.   “Can she stay here for a few days until they can find her a home”  I was asked. “Ok, just for a few days” I said.  It was day two of this stay and the kids had left me in charge of Keesh for the afternoon. Having no idea what to do with a dog this size, I told her to ‘sit in her bed across the room and don’t move’.  

I sat on the couch and went through some work related reading. I kept making eye contact with her and she with me. Suddenly I sensed movement and Keesh moved towards me, soon a wet nose was nudging me on the leg. The next thing she ever so gently and gracefully eased herself up onto the couch with the most stealthiest of moves that strangely I could not negate. I think by the way she had lowered her ears she expected me to reprimand her at any moment, but to my surprise I didn't. But something in me changed at that instant.   

“This big huge thing called Keesha maneuvered her large frame to a round coil and snuggled next to me on the sofa as if I had been her owner for 20 years. But I had only known her a single day. The connection was made” 

Something about a dog curling up next to me felt good and it was obviously the same for both parties.  I reciprocated her actions with a head rub, she groaned and accepted my care, gently fading into a full sleep that next expanded to the entire couch at full stretch! What the hell, this dog has a personality that I can actually interact with, I thought. I became intrigued and continually drawn into her acceptance she was offering. I was equally cuffed, bemused, entertained and forgot about my urgent work I was doing. I instinctively grabbed my phone and started to take photos - sending them immediately to the kids. “Look at this!” I said, “she is unreal, she thinks she owns the house!”  This dog was so gentle and caring, it certainly did not meet the stereotype of German Shepherds that I had in my mind of savage snarling slobbering beasts, as you often see in the movies and police shows. The kids knew at that stage they had Dad well onside to make Keesh a permanent resident.  

The effects of having this animal in our house was amazing, and particularly for my mental health and wellbeing. Keesh was so placid and chilled. You could do anything with her and so very intelligent. Shepherds in particular seem to have a direct line to human emotions and moods, something I have never experienced before with a dog. She always understood what you were feeling and mostly understood what you were saying. So much so I began to regularly talk to her. Talking to a dog became as routine as talking to any other member of the family.  

A year or two passed with Keesh in the family. We grew close and treated her as a ‘de facto grandchild’ until that dreadful day came. Yes, the kids purchased their own house and would be moving out, and with Keesh! Quietly we were devastated and even offered to adopt her as there was “no way their new house would be big enough for Keesh. This did not ‘wash’ as they loved her more than us. 

So after 2 more months of an empty dogless house, I missed the dog following me everywhere, being on the couch as a constant companion and I confessed it had an impact on my mental health. Anxiety would tend to creep back in. I guess not having the dog there constantly and being occupied, I would instead somehow refocus on negative things and start off the mind cycle of thoughts and stresses. Those with mental health awareness would know, running things over and over in your head constantly is not a good recipe to follow.  

It soon became evident that we would have to replace the void left by Keesh. My wife said something like “if you don’t get yourself another dog, then I will”. My malaise since Keesh’s departure must have been a bit hard to live with. It was obvious to me at that point how much I needed a dog in my life.  

As fate would have it, a 2 year old female Shepherd called Marley (Pictured) was being offered

locally as a give away.  We ended up adopting her to our family and outside of our kid’s entries into this world I would say it was the best thing we had ever done as a couple. For the past six years she has become so much part of our family that it is impossible to imagine life without her.  

She, like Keesh was, is such an intelligent dog and also has that direct almost 6th sense to your feelings and emotions.  She faithfully follows you like magnet-like to every room (including the toilet), if you want to just lay about, she is happy to just lay about, if you want to go in the car, she is also in 100%. Ears constantly pricked for those key-words such as ‘walk’, ‘car’, ‘Bunnings’ or ‘are we  goin’ to the footy’? Any of those words are always accompanied by the beautiful shepherd head tilt… meaning did you really say that Dad ? 

She is family. She eats with us, sleeps with us, travels with us and is around us every moment of the day we are at home. On work days when I grab a business shirt from the closet, she instantly knows I am not home that day, gives an audible ‘huff’ and curls up on her bed. Her mind clock then goes into a holding pattern of waiting til 5.30pm when dad and mum drive back into the yard. It truly is a great reunion when we get home and to see her happiness which spreads to our demeanor immediately. Any trials and people problems encountered during the workday are somehow just forgotten.  

In conclusion,  dogs offer us far more than companionship. They can, if we let them into our inner circles, be transformative allies in our lives.  As we all continue to prioritise our mental wellness, embracing the positive impact of a dog in one's life can be the smartest (and cutest) thing you can ever do.  

Below are some pawsome benefits for you to ponder!  

How do Dog’s have a positive impact on Mental Health ? 

A Natural Antidepressant 

Dogs have a profound ability to lift spirits, whether through their goofy antics or their warm, non-judgmental companionship.  

1. Stress Reduction Interacting with dogs has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, the body’s main stress hormone, while simultaneously increasing oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone associated with bonding. A simple petting session can trigger a physiological response that calms the nervous system and lowers blood pressure. 

 2. Routine and Purpose 

Dogs thrive on routine, and this can bring structure to their owner’s day. For individuals dealing with depression or anxiety, having a reason to get up in the morning, whether it’s to walk, feed, or care for a dog, can be incredibly grounding and motivating.  

3. Social Connection 

Dogs are social magnets. Whether at the park or strolling through the neighbourhood, they spark conversations and connections between people who might otherwise remain strangers. This causal interaction can be a lifeline for someone struggling with isolation.  

4. Unconditional Support 

Dogs offer unconditional support, providing a sense of companionship and belonging that can be invaluable in times of mental health challenges. Unlike humans, dogs don’t criticise, gossip, or hold grudges. Their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love provide a powerful emotional buffer during challenging times. For many, a dog becomes more than just a pet – a trusted companion and confidant.