A dog can keep you alive

One reason to have a dog is to keep you alive during tough times. This sounds far-fetched, but I can tell you a true story of how having a dog kept a friend of mine alive ( very, very short version of the story).

Several years ago my friend's only child was murdered. My friend had no family for moral support. His father died when he was young and his only sibling estranged himself from the family years ago; his mother was in a nursing home. He had no serious girlfriend at the time. It was no wonder he became depressed.

However, he has a dog whom he dearly loves. As we are close friends, my friend had confessed to me he had considered suicide; but because of his beloved dog, he refrained. I'm happy to announce my friend is alive and well, and in counseling – because of his dog (who is also alive and well).