The overwhelming science behind the benefit of dogs: Why we're especially thankful for our dogs this Thanksgiving



This Thanksgiving, we reflect on all of the things for which we are thankful. We should absolutely be grateful for our immediate and extended family because they provide so much support and love. We should also be thankful for our furry friends who are part of our families because science showcases the significant and countless benefits that dogs provide to humans.

Any pet owner will tell you that dogs are way more than just pets. Dogs are loyal allies, stress relievers, comforting canine companions, emotional support animals, reliable confidants, and faithful friends.

A Harvard Medical School study found that dog owners were 31% less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than those who don't own dogs.

Dogs have increasingly become integral members of the modern family, transcending their traditional role as modest pets to become best buddies with their human owners. Dogs undeniably have deep emotional connections to the American family.

Dogs have an innate ability to sense and respond to human emotions on the entire spectrum. Thanks to the unique evolutionary history of dogs, our canine friends have adapted behaviors to read human body language and emotional cues.

A 2017 study from the University of Vienna found that dogs can notice emotions in humans and can distinguish between positive and negative feelings. The study claimed that dogs could have "insights into intra- and interspecies empathy."

VCA Animal Hospitals highlighted a United Kingdom study in which dogs were shown pictures of people and other dogs along with vocalizations depicting happiness or anger.

"When the auditory cue matched the visual image, dogs spent longer examining the picture," the outlet noted. "By combining two different sources of sensory input these researchers, like pet owners, believe that dogs actually have the cognitive ability to recognize and understand positive and negative emotional states."

During the stressful holiday season, dogs can calm nerves.

A 2018 National Institutes of Health article points out that dogs help reduce stress.

"Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure," the NIH stated. "Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood."

Another study highlighted by the NIH found that pet owners were 36% less likely than those who don't own pets to report loneliness.

Johns Hopkins Medicine reported, "In fact, an astonishing 84 percent of post-traumatic stress disorder patients paired with a service dog reported a significant reduction in symptoms, and 40 percent were able to decrease their medications, reported a recent survey."

The American Heart Association stated in 2019 that dog owners who lived alone had a 33% lower risk of dying after being hospitalized for a heart attack than those without dogs. The health organization added that dog owners had a 24% less risk of dying from any cause than people who don't own a dog.

Harvard Medical School spotlighted a 2019 study that found that dog owners were 31% less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than those who don't own dogs.

A study published in 2022 in the journal BMC Public Health found that dog owners on average walk 22 minutes more per day compared to people who don't own a dog.

A 2023 study noted that pet owners among older adults had improved cognitive function.

Psychologists at Miami University and Saint Louis University discovered in a 2011 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that dogs and cats are excellent for mental health of "everyday people."

“We observed evidence that pet owners fared better, both in terms of well-being outcomes and individual differences, than non-owners on several dimensions,” said lead researcher Allen R. McConnell, Ph.D., of Miami University in Ohio. “Specifically, pet owners had greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extraverted, tended to be less fearful, and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners.”

But it isn't just the health benefits of dog ownership.

Yahoo Finance recently reported that workplaces that allow dogs saw a 17% increase in productivity.

So this Thanksgiving, it should be stressed that dogs give exponential benefits to humans. Science shows the countless benefits of having a dog as part of your family. We should all be thankful for our canine companions this Thanksgiving.

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Dog years: A decade as a MAGA exile in Los Angeles



Twelve years ago, my mother had a manic breakdown. She was found in Molokai, Hawaii, after disappearing for several days. The fugue state — in which she turned into a nightmare version of herself, eyes afire, flagellating her loved ones with a stream of deranged insults and delusions — lasted about six months until someone finally got her on lithium.

As she returned to herself, I pressured her to get a dog. She lived alone, so it would help her get a grip on reality. She said she liked whippets, so I found a local breeder. I wanted to name him Knut after Knut Hamsun, but she decided on Eliot after T.S.

I lost many jobs, many friends, many family members, all of whom called me problematic crazy fringe incel bigot weirdo resentful loser failure. But I just couldn’t let it go. I couldn’t not see the lie.

When the fugue began, I was finishing law school. When it ended, I’d taken the bar and moved to Los Angeles. I’d already experienced my parents’ terrible divorce as an only child at 17, but this year, 27, was the toughest and most isolating of my life. The safety net had ripped open, and I’d fallen through. Everything was most definitely not going to be okay.

After hitting the ground and dusting yourself off, making sure you aren’t dead, there is a sense of relief. “That happened.” There on the ground, you see the world as most people on earth do, all victims of abandonment or neglect or abuse or poverty or other societal failure, just not the upper middle-class American suburban milieu I’d been comfortably incubated within.

And when you hit the earth, you suddenly want to tell the truth. You don’t want to “win” any more. You want to help other people figure this thing out.

I was always edgy, but a good boy politically. In fact, I thought if myself as edgy for a good cause, that cause being “equality.” I’d dutifully campaigned for Obama, and my diverse group of friends had tearfully celebrated when he won in 2008.

But now it was 2012, and I worked for a gay Hollywood agent with six other young men, all of whom were gay. The time came to vote for Obama again, but this time, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It felt phony, a little numb spot where my righteousness had once curled.

What the hell did this guy know about anything? He certainly wasn’t talking to me. I told my co-workers this, and they were deeply offended. Didn’t I understand their rights were at stake? I already didn’t fit in, but this made it terminal. I was out within three months.

And thus began a decade of professional, personal, and familial torment as I slowly came out of the closet as a political bad boy, just as much to myself as to the world. I was, and still am, a liberal — it’s not possible to completely erase my deracinated bohemian upbringing. But it became increasingly clear to me that the good guys were in fact a mask covering a barely perceptible leviathan pulsing under the surface, rapidly reaching its tentacles across the earth.

As Eliot grew and my mother healed, I lost many jobs, many friends, many family members, all of whom called me problematic crazy fringe incel bigot weirdo resentful loser failure. But I just couldn’t let it go. I couldn’t not see the lie.

In L.A., I became a lone Trump supporter. I had zero MAGA friends, zero contacts to celebrate with when he won, maybe only one or two even in 2020 to lament the loss. On Tuesday, I celebrated with 100 friends, all culture kids and almost all recent converts who, like me, just couldn’t bring themselves to lie any more.

The thing we share in common? A breaking. Some loss, failure, death — the cozy cloak of a bourgeois upbringing ripped off, however fleetingly. All men used to be broken by war. Now far fewer are. But everyone in that room had gotten a glimpse. Tuesday: a decade of pain vindicated in a single night.

Wednesday morning after the all-nighter, I drove down to San Diego to put Eliot to sleep. He had a tennis ball-sized sarcoma dangling off his arm and typical whippet heart issues. It was time. Two guys came to the house and did it — it took 20 minutes. A decade transcended in a few quiet moments.

Mom is doing better now, but she still hates my politics.

This essay originally appeared on the Carousel.

Under The Boot Of Power-Hungry Bureaucrats, We’re All Peanut The Squirrel

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-03-at-2.14.52 PM-1200x675.png crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-03-at-2.14.52%5Cu202fPM-1200x675.png%22%7D" expand=1]We must fight against a future in which the state can't perform its basic functions but has time to harass citizens for adopting squirrels.

The 8 funniest memes about Haitian immigrants eating animals in Springfield, Ohio



The importation of 20,000 Haitian immigrants into the small rural area of Springfield, Ohio, has caused serious problems for the residents of the tight-knit community. It's a problem across the country; small towns that are already dealing with strained resources, decades of globalization outsourcing, inflation, and the opioid crisis are forced to absorb third-world invasions, subsidized with their own tax dollars. However serious this is for the residents experiencing the benefits of enforced diversity, the internet has responded with humorous takes on the unconfirmed reports from residents about missing pets and local wildlife. The power of memes shows that absurdist humor can tell a truth the media seeks to silence. Here are some of the funniest ones from X.

Blaze Media's own Logan Hall makes it clear that in the second Trump administration, voodoo sacrifices will not be tolerated.

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Peachy Keenan's tweet made the front of the Drudge Report and was shared by President Trump.

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Logan Hall makes an impassioned plea for where we would send the people making America Haiti.

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The indomitable Jack Posobiec makes it clear that Trump will not stand for this.

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Even Elon Musk couldn't resist jumping into the fray. RIP, Snowball I.

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Return managing editor Peter Gietl showed a cat with a simple message for November.

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Blaze editor in chief Matthew Peterson advocated building an American ark to save the animals.

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The Babylon Bee has been noticing some interesting culinary developments in the area.

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Fang Fang’s Boyfriend Eric Swalwell Loses His Mind Over Trump Cat Memes

As if having a romantic escapade with a Chinese spy wasn’t embarrassing enough, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., flushed what little dignity he had left down the toilet on Tuesday by throwing a tantrum over a meme of Donald Trump holding a duck and kitten. The incident occurred during a House Judiciary Committee hearing highlighting the […]

FedEx driver accused of stealing $5,500 French bulldog while making deliveries — but that's not the worst part



A FedEx driver is accused of stealing a $5,500 French bulldog while making deliveries in North Carolina. Unfortunately, the alleged dog theft has a tragic ending.

On July 7, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office received a phone call about a stolen dog.

The dog owners reportedly had not seen Tori — their tan and white French bulldog — for days. According to court documents, the French bulldog was valued at $5,500.

The family posted flyers on social media about the missing dog and offered a reward.

The body of the missing dog allegedly was found July 10 on the side of a road in Lillington.

The sheriff's office on July 11 issued an arrest warrant for 44-year-old Kimani Joehon Marshall of Fayetteville in regard to the missing dog.

Sheriff's office investigators determined that Marshall on July 3 was delivering packages in the area of U.S. 421 South. During one of his stops, investigators believe Marshall stole the French bulldog.

"Investigators believe that K-9 Tori died due to heat-related issues as she traveled inside the FedEx truck as temperatures were reportedly in the 90s," Sheriff Wayne Coats told NBC News.

Marshall turned himself in Monday and was charged with larceny of a dog, possession of stolen property, and cruelty to animals. He was taken to the Harnett County Detention Center and later released on a $50,000 secured bond.

FedEx said Marshall no longer works at the company.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family on the loss of their beloved pet," the company said in a statement. "We understand the importance of people’s pets in their lives and deeply regret the pain that this has caused. The driver is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx."

Marshall declined to comment to NBC News on the arrest.

Time reported in 2021, "Before COVID-19, some 2 million pets were stolen on average each year in the U.S., according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund."

A study released in April found that emotional turmoil caused by a stolen dog is similar to a parent losing a child. HealthDay said, "When faced with the theft of a pet, owners tend to feel a similar sense of powerlessness, grief, and loss. In fact, some study participants felt the loss of a dog was more intense than the death of a friend or relative, owing to the closeness of the bond they had with their pet but not with some family members."

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Provisions: Wondercide



Wondercide

Category: Pest control

Founder: Stephanie Boone

Founded: 2009

Location: Austin, Texas

Representative products: Peppermint Insect Repellant, Fruit Fly Trap, Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

At a glance:

  • Boone was inspired to found the company after her dog Luna became ill from chemicals in conventional flea and tick repellent.
  • Boone quit her job as a real estate tax consultant and started the business on a $6,000 credit card. She has said that she learned everything about the business as she went: "I had no experience with chemistry, product development, regulatory compliance or strategic business planning."
  • Boone got the call to be on "Shark Tank" the same day Luna died. Although appearing on the show led to greater exposure for Wondercide, Boone ultimately decided to turn down the deal offered her by panelist Lori Greiner.

The story:

In 2008, Stephanie Boone’s beloved dog Luna began losing her hair in patches to reveal open sores. Luna’s teeth chattered, and this, combined with her lethargy and blood testing, indicated that her internal organs were failing. Boone, a native of Austin, Texas, was heartbroken, and like any devoted custodian of a precious animal, disappeared down every rabbit hole she could find in search of an answer.

A holistic vet revealed to Boone that the products she was putting on and around Luna included ingredients that can cause systemic neurological side effects in some pets and people. Like millions of Americans, Stephanie thought she was keeping her family safe by using the most commonly recommended solutions. Living in Austin, where the only thing more oppressive than the heat is the pests, Boone resolved to find a new way to manage bugs in and around her lawn, her home, and her beloved Luna.

Deep in the annals of the EPA’s guidance for pest control, she discovered that the FIFRA 25b list, a small list of ingredients that are considered to pose the most minimal risk to health and environment, was where cedarwood oil was mentioned. Boone had an “aha!” moment. A long time beforehand, Boone’s grandmother had given her a cedar chest to protect her treasured family history. She thought, “If cedar has been used for centuries to protect the things we love from bugs, could another form of cedarwood be used to protect the living things we love?”

Wondercide was born, and Stephanie says she found her life's purpose: to innovate pest protection so that, when used as directed, it is actually as safe as it is effective.

In the summertime, I keep fresh fruit within reach as much as I can for my family. In the North Carolina heat, and with our kids frequently opening and shutting the porch door, we can start to see develop a bug problem quickly. Wondercide is an excellent product that I use on all my counters after I clean them at night. We even spray it on the floor and in the corners of the room before Swiffering. It smells incredibly fresh and is safe for kids and kittens alike.

Boone ended up taking her business to Shark Tank, where three of the "sharks" made her an offer. Her thriving business is an example of classic American ingenuity and loving devotion to plants and animals. Offering flea and tick spray, mosquito yard spray, and an indoor flying insect trap in addition to the original indoor pest control, Boone offers everything a homeowner needs to live in peace with their critters this summer — made in America with an incredibly reliable standard of care and customer service.

In Defense Of Dog-Killer Kristi Noem

There’s a great deal more going on here than meets the eye.

Mystery respiratory illness in dogs spreading across the country, veterinarians' advice to avoid potentially deadly disease



A mystery respiratory illness in dogs is spreading across the country. While veterinarians don't know much about the sickness, they have some recommendations to avoid the potentially deadly disease.

Veterinarians have detected an unusual respiratory illness affecting dogs in 10 states across the country.

Since August, the perplexing illness was reported in 200 cases in Oregon.

Dr. Amanda Cavanagh – head of urgent care services at Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins, Colorado – told the "Today" show that she has seen dogs suffering from coughing bouts that last several weeks and even months since the summer and into the fall. Cavanaugh noted that the cases have doubled in the past month or so.

Cavanagh noted that the pneumonia can be "really severe," and some of the dogs have died or had to be euthanized.

"It seems to happen very, very quickly - to go from this cough that just won't go away ... and then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia," said Lindsey Ganzer – veterinarian and CEO at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Ganzer added that the sickness seems to develop "very, very quickly."

Kevin Snekvik – Executive Director of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab – told KIRO-TV, "Your dog will run a fever and they won't feel good. They'll become lethargic, meaning they want to lie around more when normally they'd be wanting to play outside… and the coughing part of it, that becomes more productive like a wet cough, like a hacking cough."

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has identified symptoms of the puzzling sickness – including sneezing, eye or nose discharge, fatigue, blue or purple gums from oxygen deprivation, trouble breathing, and negative tests for other common respiratory illnesses.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture said that the sickness develops in three different ways: a mild to moderate cough for six to eight weeks that doesn't respond to antibiotics or responds slightly; chronic pneumonia that doesn't respond to antibiotics; or severe pneumonia that "often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24 to 36 hours."

According to Ganzer and the Oregon Department of Health, there have been cases matching symptoms of the mystery respiratory illness reported in the following states:

  • Oregon
  • Colorado
  • New Hampshire and the surrounding Northeast area
  • California
  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Washington
  • Idaho
  • Georgia
  • Florida

"We're still trying to pin down a potential cause or causes for the entity. At least in Oregon, it's given us some challenges," explained Kurt Williams – director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. He added that there are a variety of reasons why dogs develop a cough.

Williams recommended that dog owners should make sure that their pets are up to date on vaccines – including canine influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is monitoring the cases of the enigmatic sickness, but it is unknown how many pets are infected and how many have died from the potentially deadly disease.

While veterinarians are not certain how the mystery illness spreads, they advise having your dog avoid close contact with other dogs at groomers, daycare, boarding kennels, and dog parks.

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Mystery illness affecting dogs nationwide www.youtube.com

CNN ridiculed for blaming pets for impact on climate change, advocating 'insect-based food,' and adopting small rodents instead of dogs



The latest scapegoat for climate change is your lovable dog and cuddly cat. According to CNN, pets are a negative impact in regards to climate change. CNN gave green advice on how to reduce your pets' "carbon pawprint," including feeding your canine companion "insect-based food" and adopting small rodents instead of dogs.

Late last month, CNN published an article titled: "Our pets are part of the climate problem. These tips can help you minimize their carbon pawprints." The article went largely unnoticed until CNN promoted the article on social media – where it was widely ridiculed.

CNN claimed that pets "play a significant role in the climate crisis."

The outlet argued that the meat-heavy diet of pets is accelerating climate change.

The article cited a 2017 study that contended that feeding cats and dogs have the same carbon impact as 13.6 million cars on the road.

The author conceded that you don't have to eliminate your furry friend, but you should embrace climate-friendly practices when it comes to having a pet.

CNN advised pet owners to feed lab-grown meat and insects to their dogs. The article said "insect-based pet foods" are a nutritious source of protein.

The author suggests picking up your dog's excrement and disposing of the poop in a toilet.

The article recommends cat owners use an environmentally-friendly kitty litter that is not made from clay.

CNN instructed people on what kind of breed of dog they should have.

"So you might consider smaller breeds or species if you’re aiming to minimize your impact on the planet," the article reads. "A Chihuahua’s carbon pawprint will be much smaller than a Saint Bernard, for example."

CNN even advises people to not adopt a dog at all, but instead get a smaller animal with less of a carbon footprint – such as birds, turtles, and small rodents.

Reactions on Twitter lambasted and mocked the CNN article.

Actor James Woods declared, "Okay. That’s it. Enough is enough. These liberal lunatics have gone after our guns, our cars, our money, our children, but when they go after our furry schnoot burgers, that’s. Game on!"

Writer Ian Miles Cheong wrote on Twitter, "Environmentalists: 'Kill your pets. That’ll get rid of their carbon footprint.'"

Singer Phil Labonte said, "PETA and climate activists are gonna come for your dog."

A Twitter user pointed out, "CNN gets worse every day. Dogs and cats generally eat the parts of meat that people don't, so I don't see how this even makes sense."

A commentator added, "Vanderbilt Cooper will still fly around on his private jet, but you want us to get rid of Fido to stop climate change."