Why a dog is good for your health

If you have a dog, you have to take on weird responsibilities, like not being able to be away from the house for more than 8 hours (or a time equivalent to your dog's bowel/urine transit time). You also have to consider every vacation based on whether your dog has a comfortable place to be dogsat, you have plastic bags in every jacket and you find crumbs of wonderful things like dehydrated liver bits in your pant pockets.

They have you at their beck and call, expecting you to pick up their feces, demanding food and begging to be let outside.

But for all that dogs (or your pet cat, rabbit, gerbil) expect, they give back a millionfold! They make you laugh on a daily basis and have a sixth sense to know when you need comfort. They are our personal therapists, non-judging, understanding and bonus is that they are fuzzy and pettable.

On top of all that, dogs make you get outside EVERY day. You exercise and breathe fresh air and get to appreciate sights and sounds and hidden intricacies of your neighbourhoods that you wouldn't otherwise. Today, Rambo brought me through a quaint Cabbagetown road with incredible magnolia trees in full bloom. Unreal.

Although I grew up with dogs and know how much dedication and commitment they require, Aileen (never a dog owner) provided the motivation for us to get a dog three years ago even at my reluctance. I am eternally grateful to her for bringing Rambo into our lives, and for reminding me of the loyal friendship that dogs give us.

A domesticated pet's purpose in life is solely to give us joy, companionship and unconditional love. And all we have to do is provide for their basic needs.