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Carlota writes:
“We got a puppy for Christmas… and I didn’t expect it to change the way I think about mental health – but here we are.
My fiancé and I knew it would be a lifestyle shift, but what we didn’t fully anticipate was the psychological one.
Since bringing him home, I’ve found myself reflecting on how deeply animals impact our emotional wellbeing. There’s something powerful about the way Dobby naturally regulates our stress. Just petting him after a long day feels grounding – research even shows it lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin, and honestly, you can feel it in real time.
Beyond the stress relief, there’s this quiet sense of emotional safety he brings into our home. No performance. No expectations. Just steady, uncomplicated affection. Being loved in such a consistent, nonverbal way softens the edges of hard days.
He’s made us more present in ways I didn’t anticipate. No multitasking. No scrolling.
Just connection. Whether we’re playing, walking, or sitting on the couch together, it pulls us out of our heads and into the moment. And that alone feels like a mental health win.
Our relationship has shifted too. Shared caretaking builds teamwork. We problem-solve together, laugh at the chaos together, and celebrate small wins together. That kind of shared responsibility deepens connection in subtle but meaningful ways.
Something else I didn’t expect was how much he would expand our social world. Walks turn into conversations. Dog parks turn into familiar faces. There’s an instant bridge when you meet someone who shares that same love for animals — it lowers social barriers and makes connection feel easier and more organic. In a time when loneliness is such a real mental health challenge, that built-in community matters more than we realize.
The structure has been another quiet gift. Feeding schedules, daily walks, built-in movement – routine sounds small, but it creates stability, especially during busy or overwhelming seasons. It gives our days a rhythm that feels calming.
And then there’s the sense of purpose. Having something rely on you builds meaning in an everyday way. On days when motivation feels low, he still needs a walk. He still needs care. Showing up for him has a way of gently pulling me out of my own mental spirals.
Mental health conversations often focus on complex tools and frameworks (which absolutely matter), but sometimes the most powerful regulators are relational – connection, responsibility, presence, community, and unconditional affection.
So here’s to muddy paws, early mornings, and the soft reminder that love can be this uncomplicated.”
“Beyond the stress relief, there’s this quiet sense of emotional safety he brings into our home. No performance. No expectations. Just steady, uncomplicated affection. Being loved in such a consistent, nonverbal way softens the edges of hard days”.
