English course - Essay and Argument Structure Discussion

Owning a Dog

In a normal day, whether we are in a city or suburb, in a park or a busy street, we are pretty much guaranteed to see something: a dog. Many people currently own dogs, but there are still many people who do not. They might think dogs are too loud, dirty, annoying, or even dangerous, but the truth is that the positives of owning a dog always outweigh the negatives.

Yes, there can be problems with owning a dog. You will have to pay for their veterinary appointments, food, grooming, and other things, and you will have to clean up after them as well. They can also be loud and demanding companions, but, long-term, they will provide their owners with a lot of good.

Dogs are great because they keep us company. If you live by yourself, it can be lonely, but if you own a dog, there will always be someone waiting for you when you come home. Not only that, but some research has shown that owning a dog helps with mental health issues, meaning that by keeping us company, they also help to keep us happier by doing away with some of problems we might face while alone.

Dogs are also good for our physical health. It is easy not to exercise. It is easy to come up with excuses about not having time to do it or not having the money to join a gym or buy equipment, but a dog will push you to exercise. Dogs like to play and they need to go outside. They will not let you simply ignore them, which means that you will be more active if you own a good. This could mean simply throwing a ball for them, but could also mean long walks or hikes, even running. All in all, they will keep you busy and get you outdoors more often.

Dogs can also help you to expand your social circle because they can help you to meet new people. Think about how many times you’ve seen strangers stop to pet a dog, or how many times you’ve seen two dog owners discussing their dogs. Without those dogs there, those conversations never would have happened. Dogs draw other people to them, and they can act as conversation starters.

Last, dogs are good for security. You’ve probably seen at least one “Beware of Dog” sign in your life, and it was probably posted outside of a house with a large animal like a German Shepherd or Pit Bull, but it really doesn’t matter how big a dog is when it comes to helping with security. Dogs have good ears and they will alert their owners when they hear something strange. This could while you are out for a walk or while you are sleeping for the night. In both cases, your dog can act as an added alarm that helps to make you aware of an issue more quickly, and this in turn gives you more time to prepare yourself for what’s happening.

Because dogs can help with our mental and physical health, can help us to meet new people, and can provide added security to our lives, its clear that owning a dog is more positive than negative. And, anyone can own a dog. People might not think this is true because they have bad allergies, live in a tiny space, or don’t have enough energy to keep up with an excited puppy, but that’s another one of the great things about dogs: there are so many different types that any person can find one that works for them. There are hypoallergenic dogs, tiny dogs, and even older, calmer dogs looking for adoption. In the end, there really is no excuse to not enjoying the benefits of dog ownership.