If you’re on the fence about inviting a dog into your life, I hope what I share here helps tip the scales for you.
My relationship with dogs didn’t start off cuddly and soft. When I was 8 years old, I was bitten by a German Shepherd that had rabies. It was a deeply traumatic experience complete with hospitalization and a lot of shots. That experience stayed with me for years in the form of paralyzing fear. Yet, underneath that fear, I always wished I could get over the trauma of the bite and enjoy a dog as a pet.
I was skittish.
After more than two decades of contemplation, I worked up the nerve to bring a yorkshire terrier puppy into my life. I chose a Yorkie because he felt small, manageable, and non-threatening. He was only 1 pound when I brought him home. What I could have never predicted was how profoundly Gizmo would support my mental health. Not in a dramatic, ‘the earth shook’ kind of way, but in quiet moments of regulation that have added up overtime. Gizmo has helped me manage my stress and anxiety while quieting my mind daily. And I’m not alone. A major survey by the American Psychiatric Association reveals that 86% of dog owners say their pet has had a positive impact on their mental health.
Here are four ways Gizmo helps regulate my mind and body, consistently.
1. Constant companionship and unconditional love (no performance required)
Gizmo is always there. His presence is steady and grounding. He doesn’t need me to be “on,” insightful, productive, or even interesting. He just needs me to be. That kind of unconditional presence regulates the nervous system in a way that’s hard to replicate. There’s something deeply calming about being accepted without judgment. When I sit with Gizmo, I get the feeling he is thinking, “You’re good.” Even if I am projecting that emotion on to him, it works for us. He gets his fresh chicken and I get “my joy.”
2. A standing invitation to step outside
Left to my own devices, I can get extremely comfortable staying inside. Gizmo does not allow that for long. He is an automatic invitation to get up and go out into nature. I know how much he loves sitting in the bike basket on our long rides together. In the spring and summer, I’m guaranteed to drop at least 8 pounds of winter-weight because we are so active together.
3. One look away from relaxation
There are moments when my mind starts spinning about my work, relationships, and life in general. And then I look over at Gizmo. There he is with his tiny frame and those button eyes. Not worried about anything. He is in the moment and I join him there. In those moments, my stress melts away. When you have a treasured pet in your life, you’re blessed with these moments all the time.
4. A gentle reminder to keep life simple
Gizmo’s needs are straightforward. He requires food, movement, connection, and rest. He doesn’t complicate things. He doesn’t overanalyze. Being around that energy is regulating. He brings me back to basics when I start over thinking my own life. He is a walking, breathing, lesson, reminding me to keep it simple.
Looking back, it’s ironic. The little girl who once carried fear in her body around dogs now experiences calm because of one. Gizmo didn’t just enter my life, he made it feel gentler and more manageable.
And if you’re considering bringing a dog into your world, just know, you may be getting much more than a pet. You might be inviting in a quiet, steady co-regulator into your life.
