As a person who has had a few German Shepherds, a Newfoundland, and a Dachshund mix, I realized that it's not the breeds but the animal that I adore. Dogs are loyal, loving, smart, and incredibly fun pets. No wonder we've been hanging out together for thousands of years! So, here's a treat for everyone just like me who can't get enough of them: a list of wholesome memes from the appropriately titled Instagram account, 'Dog Meme Supreme.' It's the next best thing to cuddling one!
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Unlikely Besties Club
Stray but Welcome
A recent study from the University of Denver, United States, suggests that dogs might have a deeper and more biologically complex effect on humans than scientists previously believed.
"The human response to stress is a finely tuned and coordinated set of various physiological pathways. Previous studies of the effects of dogs on human stress focused on just one pathway at a time. For our study, we zoomed out a bit and measured multiple biological indicators of the body’s state, or biomarkers, from both of the body’s major stress pathways," co-authors Kevin Morris and Jaci Gandenberger write.
This allowed the team to get a more complete picture of how a dog’s presence affects stress in the human body.
Grinch Wisdom Unlocked
One thing that became clear to me is that hair on the human head starts to disappear and sprouts elsewhere, where it's not wanted (if you're female).
Gatekeeper Goals
Presidential Pup Perks
The stress pathways the scientists measured are the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA, axis and the sympathoadrenal medullary, or SAM, axis.
"When a person experiences a stressful event, the SAM axis acts quickly, triggering a 'fight or flight' response that includes a surge of adrenaline, leading to a burst of energy that helps us meet threats. This response can be measured through an enzyme called alpha-amylase," Morris and Gandenberger explain.
At the same time, but a bit slower, the HPA axis activates the adrenal glands to produce the hormone cortisol. "This can help a person meet threats that might last for hours or even days. If everything goes well, when the danger ends, both axes settle down, and the body goes back to its calm state."
Gender Neutral Truths
When I see a dog I always ask if friendly and can I approach and pet? girl or boy? name? then proceed with pets, ear scritches and so-and-so is such a good boy/girl!
Longtime Dad Goals
Street Smart Shopper
I've seen this and similar posts quite a few times. I don't know if it's true but it makes me smile.
Today, we get uncomfortable even hearing the word stress, but it has been important to human survival. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors had to respond effectively to animal attacks and other threats.
In such instances, over-responding could be as ineffective as under-responding, and staying in an optimal stress response zone maximized humans' chances of survival.
Unexpected Dad Vibes
Unexpected Vet Portrait
Chosen By The Real Boss
Zoomies in Action
"After cortisol is released by the adrenal glands, it eventually makes its way into your saliva, making it an easily accessible biomarker to track responses. Because of this, most research on dogs and stress has focused on salivary cortisol alone," Morris and Gandenberger say.
For example, past studies have found that people exposed to a stressful situation have a lower cortisol response if they are with a dog than if they are alone—even lower than if they are with a friend. And while these papers have shown that having a dog nearby can make us calmer during a stressful event, the team from the University of Denver suspected that was just part of the story and recruited about 40 dog owners to participate in a 15-minute gold-standard laboratory stress test, which involves public speaking and oral math in front of a panel of expressionless people posing as behavioral specialists.
Heartfelt Habits
Years ago my EX wife and I had a shepherd and a dalmatian. We had to put the shepherd down and for a while after when I would let the dalmatian out she would run out, stop and turn around to wait for the shepherd to come so she could jump on him like she always did. It broke my heart.
Puppy Pileup
Proudly Clueless Canine
Fluffy Security Squad
"The participants were randomly assigned to bring their dogs to the lab with them or to leave their dogs at home. We measured cortisol in blood samples taken before, immediately after, and about 45 minutes following the test as a biomarker of HPA axis activity. And unlike previous studies, we also measured the enzyme alpha-amylase in the same blood samples as a biomarker of the SAM axis," Morris and Gandenberger explain.
As was expected based on previous studies, the people who had their dog with them showed lower cortisol spikes. But the results also showed that people with their dog present experienced a clear spike of alpha-amylase, while those without their pet showed almost no response.
"No response may sound like a good thing, but in fact, a flat alpha-amylase response can be a sign of a dysregulated response to stress, often seen in people experiencing high stress responses, chronic stress, or even PTSD," the co-authors add.
(A lack of response is exacerbated by chronic or overwhelming stress that can change the way our nervous system responds to stressors.)
Just Barking Around
Pups Deserve Cozy Beds Too
Dog Park Drama Unfolds
I don't see the problem, I have similar conversations with my pets 😂
Perfect Timing, Perfect Pose
So, the participants with their dogs had a more balanced response: their cortisol didn't spike too high, but their alpha-amylase still activated.
"This shows that they were alert and engaged throughout the test, [and] then able to return to normal within 45 minutes. That's the sweet spot for handling stress effectively. Our research suggests that our canine companions keep us in a healthy zone of stress response," Morris and Gandenberger conclude.
Dogs aren't just good company, they might be one of the most accessible and effective tools for staying healthy in a stressful world. No wonder we're so attached to them!
Belly Rubs at Checkout
Dogs Speak Louder Than Words
Nap Game On Point
Dog Dad Reality Check
Priorities in the Digital Age
Bathroom Buddy Blues
Couch Patrol Priorities
When Beauty Takes a Day Off
My aunt had a weird looking dog. super sweet and well behaved but a face only a true dog lover could love. And not one of those tiny dogs you see in contests. just about a 40 lb average mutt. Pretty coat, butter face .
Silent Besties
Two Sides of Compliments
Pet Bed Negotiations Failed
Grandma’s Blessing Approved
Pup’s Prime Time Spot
When Kisses Go Sideways
Packing Essentials Only
The Ultimate Power Move
Dog’s Only Language Decoded
“now I am become drooly, drinker of water bowls” - j robert schloppenheimer
Unexpected New Squad Goals
Classic Doggy Swagger
Office Drama Unleashed
Potato Mode Activated
Endless Night Thoughts
Mine lies awake thinking about how to get back at me for not giving him a treat right before bedtime.
Unstoppable Mischief Mode
Doggone Priorities
Unlikely Snack Cravings
PSA - Watermelon is great for your dogs (and horses lol) in summer as it's higher in liquids and lower in sugar than similar quantities of other fruits. Fresh from the fridge is a good way to help keep them cool.
Priority Hydration
Unintended Doggie Reveal
Rainbow Snack Mode
Give Me the Mic
Unexpected Comfort Moments
Blanket Brigade Blues
Living the Dream, Twice Over
No because then I'd never get to play with myself... erm, yeah. I could have phrased that better.
Friends with Fibers
I'm crazy allergic to dogs, but love them. The rash that develops is almost instantaneous, but she wanted tummy rubs.
Pasta Plea Paw-sitivity
Fastest Tail Wag Ever
Puppy Magic Fixes Everything
Master of Disguise
Multa! the extremely rare heritage breed pointy nosed speedy sheep
When Entertainment Turns Weird
Dodging Like A Pro
Too Many Dogs Problem
Unexpected Power Move
i am waiting for the 3rd picture where the tongue has shot out and is stuck to the doggo's nose
Chasing Mean Bean Energy
Instant Trust Factors
Unshakable Pet Vibes
my fave, i am on the verge of sleep, feel dog jump on bed and flop down curled up to my back...
Too Cozy to Move
Surprise Dinner Buddy
Clever Lifesaver Plan
Awkward Hallway Moments
Friendship Territory Alert
Better to Be Prepared
Wonder if the 'girlfriend' is an Anatolian Shepherd / Kangal? The size, general conformation, and coloration looks about right.
Unconditional Obsession
Caught in the Act
Paws and Age Disputes
Zoomies Unleashed
Not Tonight, Sorry
When Sadness Gets Cozy
Silent Pact Expectations
Last Minute Puppy Pep Talk
Instant Mood Boost
Alert Mode: Activated
When Medical Scans Get Weird
Body’s Betrayal Moment
Fake it Till You Sound Smart
Silent But Adorable
Wrapped in Forever Mode
Rolling Up Like This
You tell him, no I don't want no scrub. A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me.
Ready for the Challenge
Yup I can help there, I can scritch ears so well it starts the back leg thumping (keep out of the gutter please, you know what I mean)
Emoji Orchestra Vibes
Red Light, Mini Ride
Hopes Dashed Again
Solo Ride Vibes
Mastering the Art of Snooze
Pause for Puppy Love
Pawsitively Sneaky Makeover
Persistent Visitor Problems
Unexpected Work Buddies
Perfectly Content Alone
Expect the Unexpected
The Great Haircut Betrayal
Still Up, Not Sorry
Comfort Comes in Fur
Unforgettable Internet Legend
Oops, That Cheat Went Long
Dog Days And Warm Eggs
Snow Day Shenanigans
High Expectations, Low Results
Little Victories Matter
Instant Dog Mode Activated
Loved this, posts about dogs make my day, thank you for sharing these!
Nothing makes my day more than happy than seeing a happy doggie
Loved this, posts about dogs make my day, thank you for sharing these!
Nothing makes my day more than happy than seeing a happy doggie
