Personal Development

Probably One Of The Best Stress Busters You Can Find

Published on Dec 13, 2014

Why dogs are exceptional stress busters

A friend said, “Marty, work is so important to you, I didn’t figure you’d want to take the time to care for a dog.”Yes, there are occasional times I feel it’s not worth it, but mostly I feel that getting my doggie, Einstein, has been among my wisest decisions.

Einstein is a great source of nurture and one of my favorite stress busters. When I’m at my desk, Einstein is often lying at my feet, which feels great, and when I need an extra dose of love, I pet him or roll around the floor with him. After that one-minute break, I’m refreshed and ready to go back to work.

Einstein ensures that I exercise every day–he has to go out. So we take two short walks and one vigorous three-mile hike every day.

My clients–well, most of my clients–love Einstein. He welcomes them with more warmth than the warmest receptionist. And I only need pay Einstein in love and kibble. (By the way, Orijen is probably the best dog food.) When the session starts, unless the client prefers he doesn’t, Einstein settles down next to the client on the sofa or floor. He’s a great co-counselor.

Yes, having a dog is a responsibility. It’s like having a baby who never grows up. But for me, at least, it has been well worth it. Indeed, I consider Einstein my Magical Doggie.

If you’re considering adopting a pet, let me make a pitch for getting him or her from a pound, humane society, ASPCA, or rescue organization:

The mixed-breed you’ll probably get is more likely to be healthier than the often too-inbred purebreds. The term “hybrid vigor” is valid.
You won’t be supporting a puppy mill, which too often treat dogs inhumanely.
The cost is dramatically lower. The average dog bought from a breeder costs $1,000. A pet from one of the aforementioned sources averages 90% less.
You’re possibly saving a life. Someone had thrown Einstein into the overnight bin at a pound. In the morning, the attendant found him shaking and clutching a barbecued rib. Many doggies and kitties must be put to sleep within weeks of entering the shelter. I will take care of my Einstein, hopefully, for many years to come.

HERE is an online PetFinder that lists 300,000 adoptable pets from 13,000 adoption groups across the country.

Author’s Books – Click For Amazon Reviews

How to Do Life: What they didn’t teach you in school
What’s the Big Idea?: Reinventions for a Better America
Cool Careers For Dummies

Related Topics:ASPCA, Big Idea, food, love, lying

Marty Nemko, Ph.D.

Named the San Francisco Bay Area's "Best Career Coach," Marty Nemko has been career and personal coach to 4,500 clients and enjoys a 96% client-satisfaction rate. The author of seven books (250,000 copies sold) including How to Do Life: What They Didn’t Teach You in School plus over 2,000(!) published articles, including on Time.com where he also writes, Marty Nemko is in his 26th year as host of Work with Marty Nemko on KALW-FM (NPR-San Francisco.) He was the one man in a one-man PBS-TV Pledge Drive Special. Marty Nemko holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and subsequently taught there. He is married to Barbara Nemko, the Napa County Superintendent of Schools. They have one daughter and one doggie: Einstein, whose name is false advertising: He's dumb as dirt but sweet as they come. The archive of Marty Nemko's writings and radio show plus an active blog and Twitter stream are at www.martynemko.com.

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