Wander & Wonder

DISCLAIMER: I am sorry for the cheesy title, but I just could not help it!

Every day brings its own dose of stress, whether it’s worries about the future sneaking in or just unexpected little things that throw me off course. Some days are harder than others—those days where everything feels like it’s piling up and even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. But having a dog is like having my very own personal stress-reliever. Ghost might not fix my problems, but he somehow makes everything feel a lighter and easier to handle.

One of the biggest ways Ghost helps me is simply by needing me. On those days when it’s hard to even get out of bed, knowing he depends on me is more than enough to get me going. He needs to be fed, brushed, played with, and walked, and that daily routine gives me a real sense of purpose. It’s not just about my responsibility to him, but also about the trust he places in me to care for him.

He also gets me moving (literally). No matter the weather, from unbearably hot to a full-on blizzard, Ghost still needs his daily walks. At times, it can feel like a chore— let’s be honest, who wants to walk for an hour in the pouring rain? But without fail, my mood improves as soon as I see how excited Ghost gets over the simplest things, like sniffing a bush or watching squirrels chase each other in the trees. His pure happiness during our walks is a great reminder to find joy in the little things. Take a look at this picture of Ghost the other day. It had started to get very windy and snow began to fall (our first snow of the winter). I was getting annoyed because the snowflakes kept hitting me in the face, but when I looked at Ghost, he was just smiling and gazing up at the sky.

Walking is also an excellent form of physical activity. For those of us without a physically-demanding job, it can be difficult to incorporate walking into our daily routines. With a dog, you don’t even have to think about it—you have no choice! It might not sound fun to feel forced to do something, but sometimes it’s helpful, especially with regards to exercise. And trust me, when you realize you’re effortlessly hitting 10,000 steps a day, you’ll feel incredibly proud of yourself!

And then there’s the way Ghost just knows when I am feeling down. When I’m upset, he comes to sit close to me, nudges my hand, and look at me with his big eyes. Sometimes he even tilts his head to one side, as if asking me “what’s wrong?”. I know it sounds silly, but I really do feel like he’s telling me he’s there for me, and that’s exactly what I need in those moments.

I did a bit of reading and it turns out that dogs actually impact your physiology. According to a study in Frontiers in Psychology, spending time with dogs lowers cortisol levels (the “stress” hormone) and boosts oxytocin (the “love” hormone). Dogs can even help lower heart rate and blood pressure. It’s no wonder that whether I’m playing, walking, or simply petting Ghost, I always feel noticeably calmer.

Many dog owners say, “My dog is not just a pet but a member of the family.” I used to think that was a bit of a silly statement, especially since I never had a family dog or much exposure to dogs growing up. But now that I have Ghost, I couldn’t agree more. Ghost is so much more than just a companion—he brings structure to my day and stays loyally by my side through life’s challenges and special moments. If it’s not already obvious, I absolutely love dogs (especially Ghost of course)!