Friday, June 4, 2010

Full time dog, part time marriage counselor

Some humans might need to take a lesson from dogs to improve the relationships in their lives.  I am always thrilled when my person comes home, even if she was in a terrible mood in the morning.  I just think she is so wonderful, why wouldn't I be thrilled to see her?  Well, some people don't get the same reaction from their spouse or partner, according to clinical psychologist Suzanne B. Phillips.  In a recent article in PsychCentral entitled "Can Pets Improve Your Relationship?", Phillips uses examples of how people react to their pets to show how they should also consider treating their human partners.  For example, you may be upset or a little mad after a shoe gets eaten or curtains are shredded, but people rarely hold grudges for their pets mistakes.  Check out the whole article for perspective on greetings, expectations, acceptance, holding grudges, assuming the best, and for better and for worse.

Image courtesy of NY Times Well Blog, where I first read about Dr. Phillips' article.  

5 comments:

  1. Amy and I are together 24/7 in a 24 foot by 8 foot Winnebago. With two dogs. I think we're doing pretty good!

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  2. My dogs, understandably, don't like it when my hubby and I (ahem) have words. It really helps us to get back on track quickly because 9 times out of 10 what we are squabbling about is not really worth giving our dogs an ulcer!

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  3. Having pets has definitely made me less selfish, and I can see how that has translated into my relationships with other people.

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  4. Hmm... Wonder what it means that most of our "words" are usually about the dogs? :)

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  5. Hi

    Nice Post ! Keep Sharing


    Thanks

    ReplyDelete