A Man and His Dog: Why Single Men Should Consider a Four-Legged Friend

I hope you all have had the experience of owning a furry companion!

That goofy, slobbery, annoying, cute, lovable troublemaker that is a dog.

Who knows when dogs were first domesticated after the Fall, but they have been bound to us for centuries! They work with us, work for us, play with us, comfort us, protect us, and save us. They chase balls and can sense seizures. They bark at strangers and sniff out bombs for our troops. They sleep in our beds, and they will often throw themselves into danger for us. They will sniff out the tiniest crumbs on the floor, or find people trapped in buildings.

Is there any question as to why they are called Man's best friend? But, did you know, a dog can help us break bad habits, prepare us for marriage, and improve our health?

The Stereotypical Bachelor.

I think we all know the type, you’ve been a bachelor for several years, living on your own. Your table is full of junk, clothes are everywhere, dirty dishes cover the counter, and your freezer is stuffed full of microwave meals and pizza. People may think you’re self-centered, a slob, and lazy. You panic if you have company, the dishes get stuffed in the oven, clothes thrown in a closet, you get the idea!

Maybe some of us have been there. Maybe one or more of the flaws these cliches point to resonate with us. A lot of it comes from not having someone who needs us daily. We are “free” from responsibility.

Or maybe it’s depression that causes us to fall into some of these traps. Maybe it’s isolation or loneliness. There are many reasons. But there are ways to change these!

It’s a bird! No, a plane! No, it’s a…dog?

Luckily, there’s a furball that can help you with all of these! I’ve seen firsthand, how one’s life can change with the introduction of a dog.

I grew up reading Jim Kjelgaard books, yearning for a dog to go on adventures with! My first dog was a gift from my parents for my 23rd birthday. I’ll never forget going to see him for the first time. A family friend bred Labrador Retrievers, my favorite! They had one left. We entered the kitchen and there he was, a six-month-old black lab with super long legs. He wanted so badly to come to say hello, but he had to cross the kitchen floor, and that was a no-go for him! He was slipping all over!

I knew right away he was the dog for me. I went back the next week to pick him up, and we spent an awesome nine years together!

I think for most guys, when they fall into certain patterns, it’s because of that lack of being needed. When you add a dog to the equation, it changes everything. Suddenly you have a reason you need to get up in the morning. You can’t just leave stuff lying around, so your cleanliness improves. There’s a reason to go home after work, and instead of it being for chores, to play video games, or binge a show, it’s so you can get greeted by your new friend!

Trust me, your life will be changed. 

How could Fido prepare us for marriage and a family?

Marriage is about sacrifice. As men, we sacrifice ourselves for our wives and any children that God sends us. This isn’t something that you can just pick up after marriage. It takes time and practice to not only sacrifice, but to be able to do it out of love. A dog can help us begin that process.

Your dog needs care and attention, leading to you giving up a little bit or making small sacrifices to feed, exercise, and work with it. Maybe you get up a little earlier to take it out for a walk, maybe you put down the video game or remote after work to spend playtime. These may not seem to correlate to preparing for marriage and kids, but it’s about the sacrificing. Starting here, no matter how small, can help us escape many traps or bad habits we might have fallen into.

If you’ve never had a dog, or it has been a while, cleaning up their messes just might help you when it comes time for kids! A dog’s love for its owner can be a lesson as well. Dogs love unconditionally and forgive unconditionally. These we need to learn for a vocation to marriage. 

Breed matters.

Some people like to just go with the flow and make decisions on the fly. If we are intentional about our vocation though, something as simple as choosing a dog should still be considered in light of one day having a family. Not all dogs are equally good at all things.

You want a dog you can trust around future kids. A dog is a commitment. He will be with you for (hopefully) many years and can be a part of your future family. Things to consider would be the size of the dog, their reputation for aggressiveness, and how they interact with their “pack”. Some dogs, like German Shepherds, are more inclined to be “one person” dogs. They tend to attach to the dominant person in the room and may not listen well or behave as well for others. There are exceptions of course! But things like this should be considered.

Planning on having a whole herd of kids? Border Collies will naturally help keep everyone together. Maybe little Johnny won’t get left behind as you pack the other nine kids in the car if Fido is barking! While not human, your dog will be a major part of your life, and you should make sure that you can fulfill your commitment to him as he will to you, before deciding to add one to your family.

Did you know…

Dogs can have a huge impact on our health! Not only are there the aspects of companionship and responsibility, but they can affect much more! Their need for physical exercise will get us up and moving. That’s less time to sit in front of screens and eat a bag of Cheetos if the dog needs a walk!

Pubmed.gov has articles talking about how petting a dog can improve our immune systems. Other studies out there show that petting or cuddling with a dog can lower stress and blood pressure while improving mood! These are truly amazing creatures that God has put at our disposal, let’s use them!

What are you waiting for?!

If you’re feeling lonely, or need help getting in shape, or are planning for ways to help your future family, go get the dog!

Make sure you are willing to commit before doing so, it’s not fair to them or yourself to get into something you can’t handle. God gave us stewardship of the earth and expects us to treat His creation as He would. Don’t abuse that gift by misusing the dog! He (or she) will give you everything they have; they deserve the proper care back.

They will test you in many ways that can help you prepare for marriage and kids if it’s God’s will, or keep you company in the event you stay single. They will help your health and be there to comfort you when you are sick. They will play with you, work with you, and protect you.

In these ways, they really can be “Man’s best friend”.