Responsibility Support Dog?

Do pets make us more responsible? Since the beginning of civilized time we’ve been getting up regularly, dressing ourselves appropriately, and schlumping ourselves into the workforce. We’ve been cooking and cleaning, raising kids, dealing with the loss of loved ones, celebrating accomplishments, and stressing about everything else - finances, relationships, self-worth. And yet we live to breath another day; doing it all on our own. It seems as if we have this responsible-thing figured out. We just do it. But wait. It’s time to throw a bone into the mix. Get a dog, they say. It will make you – and your kids – more responsible, they say.

So what makes these furry creatures so magical? They can cure heartache, stress, and assist with other ailments humans carry so heavy on our shoulders. And although it seems like it is just someone else for our hotselves-of-a-mess to care for, Can this possibly improve our lives?

The Resolution: this will be my year! The year I wake up earlier, exercise more, eat out less. But the epiphany of the greatness this will achieve generally wears off by March. Is it possible that getting a dog will help accomplish these goals?

I’d have to wake up earlier because the pup will need to pee (it’s what they do, don’t judge me). This will also give me a change to get in a brisk walk around the neighborhood before sitting in front of my computer for the next 8 hours. Exercise, check. And I’ve got to come straight home after work to let the dog out again; avoiding financially unplanned for happy hour and dinner, check.

So far this doesn’t sound half bad. But achieving my personal, financial, and aesthetic goals aren’t the only things that this pup can help me be responsible for. My second-nature skills are beginning to be honed. I’ve got to keep things cleaned off the floor to make sure they don’t eat toys, trash, or shoes – Not The Shoes! I’ll make sure they aren’t bored or lonely; which means I won’t be either and the un-judgey company will be a nice change from the competitive rat-race.

But beyond all these things that will have us feeling better about our life choices there is more. The ability for dogs to teach us about humanity, empathy, compassion, patience, loyalty, affection, and provide emotional support is unmatched to that of a human counterpart.

It has been said that Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, is an invaluable teaching that we can learn from dogs. EQ is the measure of empathy; our ability to understand and connect with others. And while our EQ is able to develop and mature, our IQ is fixed at birth; making EQ a more valuable receptor in both adults and children. A study done by Rutgers University Psychology Department reports that Kindergarten teacher find a child’s EQ to be more important than their ability to read and that this social-emotional learning is the best indicator of a child’s success in school. This EQ can be nurtured by the responsibility we take on when we have a dog.

This attachment to a pet, this bond that grows, gives any over-worked, stressed-out, or self-absorbed person the ability to draw away from one’s self and rely on a dog’s nonverbal cues to guide them to caring for their pet’s needs. You have become the Dog Whisperer and this skill will translate into other areas of your life.

So, does a dog make you more responsible? In short, yes. The hidden things a dog helps you accomplish sometimes go unnoticed, but if you feel like a miracle has happened to help you achieve something, maybe it was a little veiled help from your four-legged friend. Will they help you file your taxes, probably not. But even giving a belly rub while crunching those numbers may help you stress less and just do it. Responsibility accomplished!