Dog + Walkies = health and happiness!

In good times or bad times it’s not rocket science to realise that owning a dog can bring health and joy.

Dr Deborah Wells a psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said that people who own a dog tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Dr Wells also wrote that regular dog walks may partly explain the difference between the good health of dog-owners and those without a four-legged friend. Below are just a few reasons why your doggie could be helping you have a long and happy life.

1. Dog owners make fewer visits to their doctors.
2. Owning a dog can help reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Owning a dog can help reduce blood pressure.
4. Owners who walk their dogs are healthier than non-dog owners.
5. Dogs can help the development of children with autism
6. Owning a dog can boost your immune system.
7. Dog owners are likely to recover quicker from heart attacks.
8. Dogs can help safeguard against depression.
9. Trained dogs can detect a variety of health conditions - including epileptic fits.
10. Dogs can help the development of young people with learning difficulties.

Animal expert Dr Christian Jessen has said: "I would ask that all GPs be aware of the importance of animals in promoting human health and happiness and call on them to proactively inform their patients of the diverse ways in which dogs can improve our lives."

So it’s official, our hounds are good for our health [and happiness].

Time for "walkies" I think…

Cover To Cover

This wonderful selection of book jackets is from an interview at Abebooks.com with professor of anthropology Dr. Bryan Cummins. Dr Cummins discusses literatures long love affair with pooches.

The interview features a great list of much-loved fictional dog books. From collectible first editions of 'White Fang', to children's books like the lovely 'Stanley's Party'. I had no idea there was so much literature about man's best friend. Bryan Cummins thinks that dogs in literature outnumber their feline counterparts about 10 to one – amazing!

My favourite covers are 'Nose Down, Eyes Up' by Merrill Markoe – it’s just such a beautiful photograph and 'The Incredible Journey' by Sheila Burnford, which features a delightful drawing of the three animals.

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