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In 2017, Cambridge researchers looked at the interactions of 12-year-olds and their pets in 77 British households. The children were asked about the quality of relationships with their family members, including pets. That quality was calculated across four different dimensions: satisfaction with the relationship, feelings of companionship, communication, and conflict.

Of those parameters, the kids reported not only less conflict with pets than their siblings, but also more satisfaction. That's a polite, academic way of saying they felt a stronger bond with their pet than with their brother or sister. Moreover, researchers noted that in the hierarchy of pets, kids were most bonded with dogs.

So consider this original Bored Panda list as the following argument: if you believe that your kids don't need a dog, you must be a cat. While we're at it, check out a compilation of photos we put together in the past to support this claim too.

#1

8 Months Ago, Our Son Got A Support Dog. Our Son Was Mostly Wheelchair Dependent. We Hoped His Dog Would Help Him Grow Stronger. I Think We Can Conclude That Together They Succeeded

8 Months Ago, Our Son Got A Support Dog. Our Son Was Mostly Wheelchair Dependent. We Hoped His Dog Would Help Him Grow Stronger. I Think We Can Conclude That Together They Succeeded

YourNameWisely Report

Coming back to the eye-opening research we talked about at the beginning of this post, Matt Cassels, a Gates Cambridge Scholar at the Department of Psychiatry, who led the study, said that anyone who has loved a childhood pet knows that we turn to them for companionship and disclosure, just like relationships between people.  

"We wanted to know how strong these relationships are with pets relative to other close family ties. Ultimately this may enable us to understand how animals contribute to healthy child development," Cassels explained.

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    #2

    A Baby And His Dog

    A Baby And His Dog

    romulao Report

    According to the academic, even though pets may not fully understand or respond verbally, the level of disclosure to pets was no less than to siblings. And the fact that pets cannot understand or talk back may even be a benefit! It means they are completely non-judgmental.

    "While previous research has often found that boys report stronger relationships with their pets than girls do, we actually found the opposite. While boys and girls were equally satisfied with their pets, girls reported more disclosure, companionship, and conflict with their pet than did boys, perhaps indicating that girls may interact with their pets in more nuanced ways," Cassels said.

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    Dr. Nancy Gee, Human-Animal Interaction Research Manager at WALTHAM and a co-author of the study, added that evidence continues to grow, showing that pets have positive benefits on human health and community cohesion.

    "The social support that adolescents receive from pets may well support psychological well-being later in life but there is still more to learn about the long term impact of pets on children’s development."

    #3

    I Volunteer For A Dog Rescue, We Love Seeing Updates Of The Dogs In Their New Homes. This One Made Me Smile

    I Volunteer For A Dog Rescue, We Love Seeing Updates Of The Dogs In Their New Homes. This One Made Me Smile

    Meems138 Report

    #4

    My Son Has Autism And One Of His Unique Trait, Is His Need For Physical Contact At All Times. Barb Came Into Our Lives And Elected Herself To The Position Of Weighted Blanket & Bodyguard

    My Son Has Autism And One Of His Unique Trait, Is His Need For Physical Contact At All Times. Barb Came Into Our Lives And Elected Herself To The Position Of Weighted Blanket & Bodyguard

    SmrtGrl86 Report

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    oceanblue513 avatar
    Znaya
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Animals have that instinct and children with autism have super powers, never underestimate the combination

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    #5

    We Told Lincoln To Watch Some Youtube Videos On How To Train His Puppy

    We Told Lincoln To Watch Some Youtube Videos On How To Train His Puppy

    So here he is, showing them to the dog.

    Daniel Ball Report

    #6

    Two Street Children, With Barely Enough Money To Afford Slippers, Bandage An Injured Puppy

    Two Street Children, With Barely Enough Money To Afford Slippers, Bandage An Injured Puppy

    Imamofpeace Report

    #7

    My Daughter Has A Huge Heart For Dogs And Begged For Months To Get Another Rescue. She Even Used All Her Money To Pitch In For The Fees. Here She Is With Our Third Rescue Pupper, Daisy

    My Daughter Has A Huge Heart For Dogs And Begged For Months To Get Another Rescue. She Even Used All Her Money To Pitch In For The Fees. Here She Is With Our Third Rescue Pupper, Daisy

    ExLaxMarksTheSpot Report

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    #8

    A Sleeping Baby, Dog, And Cat. I Think I Win The Internet High Score

    A Sleeping Baby, Dog, And Cat. I Think I Win The Internet High Score

    reddit.com Report

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    #9

    And I Never Thought That 17 Years Later, My Best Friend Would Live To Meet My First Child

    And I Never Thought That 17 Years Later, My Best Friend Would Live To Meet My First Child

    Physical_Boss3285 Report

    #10

    So, Cassidy (My Daughter) Was Snuggling Elsa (Our Rescue Pup) Under Her Hoodie. I Walked Into The Room And Asked "Where's Elsa?" Well, Elsa Tried To Get To Me

    So, Cassidy (My Daughter) Was Snuggling Elsa (Our Rescue Pup) Under Her Hoodie. I Walked Into The Room And Asked "Where's Elsa?" Well, Elsa Tried To Get To Me

    Paramedic351468 Report

    #11

    Our Neighbor Gives Treats Through The Fence. Recently He Has Been Giving My Daughter Treats Too. This Is Them Waiting Patiently Today

    Our Neighbor Gives Treats Through The Fence. Recently He Has Been Giving My Daughter Treats Too. This Is Them Waiting Patiently Today

    MokeOG Report

    #12

    Their Dog Hasn’t Eaten Well Since They Brought Their Baby Home - Dog Kept Taking Food Into The Living Room And Leaving It There

    Their Dog Hasn’t Eaten Well Since They Brought Their Baby Home - Dog Kept Taking Food Into The Living Room And Leaving It There

    Someone suggested the dog might be worried the baby isn’t visibly eating, so is “feeding” the baby. They tried giving the baby a bowl of food at the same time. It worked!

    xianaa Report

    #14

    My Moms Rescue Dog Rico Is Best Friends With My Baby. I Interrupted Them Watching Peppa Pig

    My Moms Rescue Dog Rico Is Best Friends With My Baby. I Interrupted Them Watching Peppa Pig

    izzygray603 Report

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    heathervance avatar
    AzKhaleesi
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    omfg I want this dog, he reminds me of my ooshy bear (Lucius) he was a rescue pit, he was bred and raised as a bait dog and was an albino red nose. Looked a LOT like this guy but mine was all white. His ears were docked way to low so they looked evil (but they kept his tail I'm assuming to whip with) he had hot grease poured down his back at some point so was scarred. he was a beast. When I saw him I thought "he's gonna eat my face" but I gave him a treat and he laid his head in my head and just sighed all 5 years of stress away. I took him home and he was my best friend. He wouldn't let me go upstairs without checking it out first. 6 months later he passed away from seizures. I have never found a doggo like him and I miss him so bad. RIP my Ooshy Bear. Mama loves you.

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    #15

    I Knew My Senior Dog Loved Babies, But Seeing Him Love My Daughter Makes My Heart Burst

    I Knew My Senior Dog Loved Babies, But Seeing Him Love My Daughter Makes My Heart Burst

    sarahdxyz Report

    #16

    Peeking Buddies

    Peeking Buddies

    kippei_husky Report

    #17

    This Bulldog Squish Into Any Space As Along As He’s Close To His Human

    This Bulldog Squish Into Any Space As Along As He’s Close To His Human

    reddit.com Report

    #18

    My Best Friend Has Four Paws. CJ (5 Years Old) And Chance (3 Months Old)

    My Best Friend Has Four Paws. CJ (5 Years Old) And Chance (3 Months Old)

    JS Jeab Saisuda Photography Report

    #19

    My Dog Thinks My Daughter Is His Baby. They Love Each Other So Much. This Is How They Fell Asleep Yesterday During Nap Time

    My Dog Thinks My Daughter Is His Baby. They Love Each Other So Much. This Is How They Fell Asleep Yesterday During Nap Time

    jakeisthewolf Report

    #21

    Had To Put My Dog Down A Few Months Ago. My Son Will Never Know How Much Griffin Loved Him

    Had To Put My Dog Down A Few Months Ago. My Son Will Never Know How Much Griffin Loved Him

    jon1045 Report

    #22

    In Their Mind They Are Secret Service

    In Their Mind They Are Secret Service

    POONHANDLER208 Report

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    oceanblue513 avatar
    Znaya
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And they have the serious faces for the serious job 😀

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    #23

    My Brother’s Daughter And New Puppy Are Already Best Buds, They Even Have Matching Outfits

    My Brother’s Daughter And New Puppy Are Already Best Buds, They Even Have Matching Outfits

    thewifeandkids Report

    #24

    Took My Dog And Daughter Out For The First Time Together, In A Winter Wonderland

    Took My Dog And Daughter Out For The First Time Together, In A Winter Wonderland

    obxsurfer06 Report

    #25

    My Baby With My Dog’s Babies

    My Baby With My Dog’s Babies

    reddit.com Report

    #26

    Our Dog Has Hardly Left My Wife’s Side Since Baby Arrived. He’s A Proud Older Brother

    Our Dog Has Hardly Left My Wife’s Side Since Baby Arrived. He’s A Proud Older Brother

    TheBaconmaker Report

    #27

    My Daughter Was Nervous Around Dogs, And Then She Met This Guy. He Let Her Love All Over Him For 20 Minutes And Afterwards, Her Fear Was Gone. Thank You, Sweet Boy, For Making Her Into The Dog Lover She Is

    My Daughter Was Nervous Around Dogs, And Then She Met This Guy. He Let Her Love All Over Him For 20 Minutes And Afterwards, Her Fear Was Gone. Thank You, Sweet Boy, For Making Her Into The Dog Lover She Is

    DeeToTheWee Report

    #28

    It’s My Dogs 4th Birthday, My Daughter Spent All Her Pocket Money Buying Her A Steak

    It’s My Dogs 4th Birthday, My Daughter Spent All Her Pocket Money Buying Her A Steak

    MortyVulpus Report

    #29

    My Dog Is 18, Has Trouble Standing. Since Clare Was Born, He Stands For Hours Watching. Good Boy

    My Dog Is 18, Has Trouble Standing. Since Clare Was Born, He Stands For Hours Watching. Good Boy

    joscoto Report

    #30

    Our Son Had A Heart Transplant. My Wife Made Him A Tin Man Costume. Cowardly Lion Played By Murphy Jenkins

    Our Son Had A Heart Transplant. My Wife Made Him A Tin Man Costume. Cowardly Lion Played By Murphy Jenkins

    iafffu Report

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    #31

    The 12-Week-Old Guarding The 1-Week-Old. Something Tells Me This Is The Start Of A Beautiful Friendship

    The 12-Week-Old Guarding The 1-Week-Old. Something Tells Me This Is The Start Of A Beautiful Friendship

    moogadorf Report

    #32

    This Kid Walking His Dog In Full Astronaut Gear

    This Kid Walking His Dog In Full Astronaut Gear

    kchitownp Report

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    susan-herbert345 avatar
    SoozeeQ
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else immediately think of the movie "Wonder"? It's a gorgeous movie, and so are these two.

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    #33

    Our Daughter Was Visited By Maddie, A Therapy Dog, Before Her (Successful) Surgery At Phoenix Children’s Hospital ... This Dog Helped All Of Us More Than She Will Ever Know ... She’s Not A Good Girl, She’s A Great Girl

    Our Daughter Was Visited By Maddie, A Therapy Dog, Before Her (Successful) Surgery At Phoenix Children’s Hospital ... This Dog Helped All Of Us More Than She Will Ever Know ... She’s Not A Good Girl, She’s A Great Girl

    LordCinko Report

    #35

    Our Good Girl, Stella. Picked Her Up A Year Ago At The Pound. The Best Farm Dog Ever

    Our Good Girl, Stella. Picked Her Up A Year Ago At The Pound. The Best Farm Dog Ever

    laNenabcnco Report

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    POST
    tuncer_cosar avatar
    Joeshar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like an Anatolian Shepherd (Kangal). A giant gentle breed but able to deal with 2 wolves at a time

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    #36

    Step 1: Try To Take Cute Pic Of Dog And Baby. Step 2: Dog Sneezes During Pic. Step 3: Accidentally Capture My Dogs Inner Demon, And My Son Thinks It's Funny

    Step 1: Try To Take Cute Pic Of Dog And Baby. Step 2: Dog Sneezes During Pic. Step 3: Accidentally Capture My Dogs Inner Demon, And My Son Thinks It's Funny

    FluffyBicepz Report

    #37

    I Waited Over Ten Years For A Dog, Finally Have A Backyard. We Tried For Two Years To Get Pregnant, Finally Had A Daughter. Last Month My Heart Became Complete

    I Waited Over Ten Years For A Dog, Finally Have A Backyard. We Tried For Two Years To Get Pregnant, Finally Had A Daughter. Last Month My Heart Became Complete

    froyo0102 Report

    #38

    She’s Loyal, Protective, And Goofy. Meet My Daughter’s Best Friend

    She’s Loyal, Protective, And Goofy. Meet My Daughter’s Best Friend

    blackpinkwhite Report

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    #39

    My Son And His Puppy - They Can’t Get Enough Of Each Other

    My Son And His Puppy - They Can’t Get Enough Of Each Other

    LameSaucey Report

    #40

    We Were So Nervous To Bring Our Newborn Son Home To Meet Our Beagle. Best Friends Right Away. Meet Oliver And His Doggo Sophie

    We Were So Nervous To Bring Our Newborn Son Home To Meet Our Beagle. Best Friends Right Away. Meet Oliver And His Doggo Sophie

    rawrimkat1017 Report

    #41

    This Pretty Girl Came To Visit My Daughter

    This Pretty Girl Came To Visit My Daughter

    nanowelder86 Report

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    olivier_caissy avatar
    Olivier Caissy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish hospitals had those when I passed my childhood in them, 30 years ago.

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    #42

    Gentle Giant

    Gentle Giant

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    manonm avatar
    manon M
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would like to know what dogs think in these situations (with a baby on lap) because we can see that they never/rarely seem to be at ease (eyes, ears etc)

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    #43

    They Bonded Before We Even Left The Parking Space

    They Bonded Before We Even Left The Parking Space

    ObligatoryCreativity Report

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    lmellie21 avatar
    Flare
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the time I was holding this baby kangaroo in a pouch bag at North Georgia Zoo. She was chilling and lazy in my arms, and was appropriately named Diva.

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    #44

    Now This Is Just Perfect

    Now This Is Just Perfect

    sanamre Report

    #45

    I Just Finished This “Fort” For My Son So He Could Look At Trucks Out The Window. Now He Can Hang Out With His Best Friend

    I Just Finished This “Fort” For My Son So He Could Look At Trucks Out The Window. Now He Can Hang Out With His Best Friend

    dcoughl02 Report

    #46

    My Oldest Has Been Battling A Cold. 95 Lbs Of Lap Puppy To The Rescue. Such A Good Boy

    My Oldest Has Been Battling A Cold. 95 Lbs Of Lap Puppy To The Rescue. Such A Good Boy

    Akschmalz Report

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    #47

    My Son Broke His Arm And Ever Since He Came Home My Girlfriend's Dog Won't Leave His Side

    My Son Broke His Arm And Ever Since He Came Home My Girlfriend's Dog Won't Leave His Side

    bastian74 Report

    #48

    Beginning Of A Great Friendship

    Beginning Of A Great Friendship

    VirusGuy Report

    #49

    My Nephew Meeting The Puppy

    My Nephew Meeting The Puppy

    quiettcricket Report

    #50

    My Wife And Her Pupper 30 Years Ago, And Our Daughter And Her Pupper

    My Wife And Her Pupper 30 Years Ago, And Our Daughter And Her Pupper

    land0man Report

    Note: this post originally had 150 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.