A Trip Down Lonely Street is Much Better With a Dog

By Victoria Meisinger

There was a song recorded by Elvis Presley in 1956 called "Heartbreak Hotel" in which the singer talks of losing his love and residing at the end of Lonely Street in the aforementioned Heartbreak Hotel. According to the King, there's lots of loneliness and crying. We've all been there, right? 

If you've ever been brokenhearted, there may be a solution -- or at least something to ease the pain. In another Elvis song, he talked about "Old Shep," which is a terribly sad song but celebrates the relationship a boy has with his dog. That's right, the answer to your loneliness is a puppy -- or some other canine!  

Petting your dog has been proven to lower stress and produce more dopamine, which happens to be the hormone responsible for your happiness -- although the Elvis song "My Happiness" was not written about dopamine or a dog. The point is, dogs are very good for your mental health. Because Fido loves you unconditionally, there's no reason to be despondent: You'll always have a furry friend who listens.

But dogs can also help you move on from a broken relationship. Here's how.

Reduces Loneliness

Owning a dog means having a loyal companion, a trusting buddy who will never fail to greet you at the end of a long day, nor would they judge based off past mistakes. They just love you for who you are and provide the perfect company. Dogs also lower the risk of mental health disorders. One study shows that dog owners are four times less likely to develop depression and are overall more satisfied with their lives. When you hold the responsibility of taking care of something you love, your life typically has more meaning because you know someone out there needs you.

Great Way to Meet Other People

Sometimes it can be hard to meet people or spark a conversation with a stranger. However, with a dog it's easy! They are the perfect icebreaker, especially if you want to get to know a fellow dog lover. For this, dog parks are the perfect setting. Even if you're more on the shy side or have a fear of approaching strangers, your dog can do the socializing for you. It has also been proven that dogs make people seem less intimidating. So don't be afraid to take out your pooch and let them mingle, you might just meet someone too.

Few people think of owning a dog for its actual mental health value, but dogs do make life a bit better. They are definitely a relationship and it takes some work, but it's also rewarding and you'll always control the conversation. 

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Denton, Tex.