The Quest for Happiness –The K9 Way!

A home filled with wagging tails, paw prints and slobbery kisses is a happy place! If you want to know the true meaning of unconditional love and unmatched happiness, then you need to ask a pet parent or be one! 
Vinita Seth & Astro
Aren’t we all searching for the elusive, ‘Happiness’, with each action of ours directed towards embracing it? How often do we get undiluted happiness or even come close to it? When are we in that space of experiencing unconditional love and adulation? It is this quest for happiness that remains a constant on the journey with every person resorting to various tools and techniques best suited to their temperaments to discover it.
But how many of us do really find happiness? There is, however, a special section of people who have undoubtedly, experienced pure joy, and those fortunate ones are the dog lovers who enjoy pet parenting their pets and in return are showered with the ‘happiness blessing’ by their beloved pooches.
Home & Heart – both ruled by your poocha
The adage ‘Dogs are man’s best friend’ is truer than ever. A best friend loves, comforts, is fun to be with, and above all is completely non-judgmental and your pets are all that and so much more. They are home and heart, a cosy warm fireplace to sit by, soaking up all the sadness and pain. Their adoring eyes are like delicious hot chocolate on a cold dark winter night. Are you still wondering what is that makes them best of friends?
A dog delights and loves, brightening up any home with its aura and vibe.Just having a dog resting beside you eases out the tension, evens out the breathing leading to a myriad of health benefits. To be greeted early morning with a soft head resting on the knee looking up with puppy eyes is a perfect happy start to a day. Dogs and puppies just know how to liven up and energise a space with so much cheer that there is hardly any room left for despondency.
The best therapist has fur & four legs
In today’s challenging times the need for guidance and counselling is on the rise and a proven and effective therapy suggested by mental health professionals worldwide is pet therapy. Many studies have proven that a pet is beneficial to human’s emotional, physical, and mental well being. Dogs are the best therapists for people dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, communication challenges, emotional issues, and posttraumatic stress disorder. These furry therapists have an innate ability to read emotions, understand body language, and are the best listeners.
It is almost as if they sense the emotions and accordingly prescribe the treatment. The treatment may require the pet to be demanding and mischievous if the patient happens to be dull, sad, and gloomy or they may just cuddle up, lick and stay close to the patient if they sense loneliness, low selfesteem, and unworthiness. They know, ’one size doesn’t fit all’ and interact according to individual requirements. It is not uncommon for the pet to shut the laptop or paw the mobile phone if as per them too much time is being spent on these devices! They are by nature social and inclusive, and it is this trait which enhances communication, interaction and bonding between pets and their family.
The service that pets render to humans in the amount of positivity and security they furry angels healing us and giving us unconditional love.
Streng th, cou rage a nd love a re prerequisites for a high happiness quotient. Ancient Chinese philosopher and writer Lao Tzu truly said, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” In English novelist George Eliot’s words, “We long for affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment.” It is this uncritical canine attachment that energises, enriches and enhances the quality of life, boosting the happiness quotient.
Truly said that finding happiness in small joys is the way to be! So, take your happiness quotient a notch higher – cuddle up with your pet, go for a relaxing walk, or just sit together in your balcony or garden and watch a beautiful sunset.