Spending time with my dog is so relaxing.

A day that begins in a rush from morning.

Getting children ready.
Housework.
Work.

Before you know it, night falls without even time to sit down.

Am I doing it right?
Maybe I could have been a little kinder.

There must be nights when you ask yourself such questions.

A mother's feelings often get pushed aside.

In such a daily life,
do you ever feel that the presence of your dog softens the atmosphere just a little?

Does living with a dog relate to emotional stability?

Various studies conducted both domestically and internationally report that
people living with pets tend to experience less loneliness and
report higher life satisfaction.

An analysis using large-scale Japanese data also indicates the possibility that
living with a dog as a family
has some connection with children's social and emotional aspects.

Additionally, there are reports suggesting that older adults who own dogs
may have a lower tendency toward depression.

Of course, it's not a simple matter of saying that if you have a dog, your mind will always be stable.

However, the perspective that a presence by your side can be related to your emotional state
seems to make our daily lives appear a little different.

A presence that is unconditionally by your side

Parenting is a continuous series of choices with no right answers.

Was today's choice good or not?
Isn't it more often the case that no one can say for sure?

At such times, a dog says nothing, just stays by your side.

On days when things didn't go well.
On tired days.
On days when you can't smile.

They quietly snuggle up at a constant distance.

Several psychological analyses suggest that
such "non-judgmental relationships" can lead to a sense of security.

It might not be a big event, but
more like a quiet support.

Small cycles created within the family

Having a dog can also
naturally increase family conversations.

Walk time.
Sharing care responsibilities.
Opportunities to laugh together.

Domestic data analysis indicates that
shared activities involving pets may be related to family bonds.

Not just for children,
but for mothers too, that time might play a role like "breathing."

Even for just a few minutes,
time to take a deep breath while stroking a dog.

Just that,
can sometimes ease the mind a little.

Happiness doesn't necessarily have to be a grand word.

The word "happiness"
sounds somewhat grand and significant.

But in reality,
it might be an accumulation of small assurances.

A child laughs,
a dog relaxes beside them,
and you are there, watching the scene.

If that sight
can make today a little softer.

Even just that,
might be sufficiently important happiness.

References

Ueda, Y. et al. (2021). Association between Early Life Child Development and Family Dog Ownership. Scientific Reports.

Koda, N. et al. (2019). Pet Ownership and Children’s Emotional Expression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Tsuji, T. et al. (2019). Dog ownership and risk of depression among older adults. Scientific Reports.