Credit: jerry Tidwell "Associated Content"

Owning a dog is one of my greatest pleasures. If you don't own a dog maybe there will be at least one reason listed here to convince you why you should. If you own a dog you already have a million reasons.

1.Dogs Are Good Listeners.

There is nothing better than a really sympathetic listener. A dog will snuggle right up to you and hang on every word you say. Even though you know they can't understand a word you say, it's nice to have a warm body to snuggle with while you cry. They don't ask questions, don't say the wrong thing, they just listen and snuggle. They are probably trying to recall what great thing they did to deserve some much wanted attention like this. Somehow it just really makes you feel better.

2. They Are Always Glad To See You.
It doesn't matter if you left hours ago or five minutes ago, a dog's reaction is always the same. They act like they haven't seen you in forever. You could never get a reaction like that out of anyone else in your family, especially not your cat. Secretly they are probably hoping that you remembered to take them along.

3.Dogs Make You Feel Safe.
This is especially true of females. When some strange person knocks on the door and your dog raises his hackles and growls, it makes you feel much safer. You'd like to think they would protect you if they had to or at least make a person think twice about coming in. I know my dogs will see and hear anything that comes in the house well before I do. I also really feel like when my husband is gone my dogs are in a more protective mindset. At least they seem to be and that makes me feel safer.

4.Dogs Will Make You Get Exercise.
This alone should be a good motivator. If you live in town your dog is going to need to be walked every day, normally a couple of times. It's not like you can just open the door and let them out. You have to take them and this means you are getting exercise you would normally not get. It makes you feel so much better just to get out. If you live in the country and you can just turn your dog loose you will still get plenty of exercise. There is mud to clean off, burrs to pick out, skunk smells to eliminate, cat's to rescue and many more things that involve some form of exercise.

5.Dogs Teach You Responsibility.
You can not own a dog without being responsible. If you do you will have a messy yard or house. You have to learn to clean up after them. It isn't their fault they are trapped in a tiny yard or in the house. You have to learn to pay attention to their body language. They will tell you when they need out, when they want a walk, when they need water or food. But , you have to be responsible enough to notice these things. Dogs have this little alarm clock inside for dinner time. If you are late they will let you know. One of our dogs brings his bowl to you if he thinks you don't get it.

6. Dogs Love A Good Adventure.
The great thing about a dog is that they think everything is an adventure as long as they are with you. If you have to do a particularly dirty job they are right there. They are willing to slop through mud, help with goats, swim in that dirty tank, go fishing, go for a walk, slop in the rain to feed the horses. As long as they are going they think it's great fun. Later when you are tired and want to hang on the couch, they think there isn't anything better. Hanging with their person on the couch is a perfect day in a dogs eyes. Actually I think dogs think every day is a good day, except maybe trip to the vet day.

7.Prepare You For Children.
In a lot of ways this is true. If you can not handle a dog do not have children. Dogs are a lot of work. Sometimes they are naughty and tear things up. They have to be exercised, fed, watered, disciplined, and loved. If you cannot do these things for a dog you should know that a child is twice the work. A child has even more energy. Unlike dogs they do not spend most of their days sleeping(except when they are really young) so if a dog wears you out a child will even more so.

8.Dogs Teach Your Children How To Love A Pet.
My son is 19 months old now and has been around our two dogs the entire time. Our dogs are wonderful with him. They let him do anything with them. But, this is a great chance to teach your child that animals have feelings too. They have to learn to be gentle, they learn that dogs hurt too, that dogs need care. It is a great way to model the way we should take care of God's creation. Then when they get old enough they can take of one of their own dogs.

9.Dogs Are Good Little Cleaners.
I never have to worry about cleaning up any food that is dropped on the floor. It is almost gone before it hits the floor. Dogs really have a way of making you feel like you are the best cook in the world too. No matter what you are making they hover around usually much more excited than anyone else in the family would. Any food, crumbs, spills, are all taken care of usually before I even have to ask. So they save you a lot of time as well.