I normally don't post so much to read but this is so true! I just adopted a few months ago.

1. Dogs get you moving: A March 2011 study published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health found that dog owners are more likely to reach their fitness goals than those without canine companions.

2. …And keep you going: A study from Michigan State found that owning a pet dog promotes health and fitness even after you take your pup for a stroll, increasing leisure-time physical activity by 69 percent.

3. Dogs push you to the next level: A University of Missouri study found that walking with a puppy dog leads to a 28 percent increase in walking speed,

4. Dogs don't accept excuses: People who walk with dogs are more likely to stick to their fitness plans than those who walk with humans or alone, according to researchers at the University of Missouri.

5. Dogs ease the road to recovery: Your furry friend is there for you in good times and bad.

6. They might lower your risk of obesity: Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly have one-third the risk of diabetes  according to exercise scientist Cindy Lentino.

7. It's good for the whole family: A study from the University of Virginia found that teens from dog-owning families are more physically active than teens whose families don't own a pet dog,

8. Fewer trips to the doctor's office: Dog owners require 20 percent less medical care than non-dog owners, according to a UCLA study among the elderly.

9. They improve your people skills: Researchers at Central Michigan University found that when a dog is present in a collaborative group setting, group members rank their teammates higher in terms of trust, team cohesion, and intimacy.

10. Dogs provide preventative healthcare: Scientist from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine found that children from families with a history of allergies are less likely to develop eczema if they grow up with a pet dog starting at birth

Me and my puppy Maddie