There’s a good reason people refer to dogs as “man’s best friend.” If you’ve ever had one of your own, you know exactly why!

Dogs are notoriously loyal, and some of the best nonhuman companions a person can have. Because April is ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, we wanted to take a moment to both remind everyone what a joyful experience having a dog can be, and of course, let you know that you can lend a hand to the cause by volunteering for local shelters, or even adopting a pet of your own!

Now, dogs certainly become part of the family, but what if we took some cues from our canine friends for how to act in our relationships? Can we become better companions as well?

Think about what makes having a dog so fulfilling: your pet is always excited to see you, doesn’t hold grudges, senses when you’re upset, and stays by your side through thick and thin.

It may be a little unrealistic to expect a human being to share all of those same traits, but it’s certainly something we can all aspire to!

We don’t necessarily have to have blind obedience to our spouses, but if you’ve ever experienced the heartwarming feeling you get when your dog just can’t wait for you to walk in the door – just imagine what it would feel like if your spouse were just as excited to see you every day.

How great would your spouse feel if you were that excited to see them every day?

This can be taken even further. What about the physical attention and affection a dog loves to receive? They are always ready to play or cuddle up, they love to get outside and run around with you – they’re really up for anything you’re excited about!

In making this comparison, it’s important to note that we aren’t advocating a one-sided, totally devoted relationship, where one person is at the other’s beck and call. Instead, we challenge you to find elements of this fierce loyalty for you to both implement in your marriage.

Imagine how much happiness you could generate in your relationship if you and your spouse looked forward to each other’s company every single day, if you were both ecstatic to get out of the house and play, if you could both overlook each other’s mistakes and move forward without holding a grudge.

The qualities that make dogs such great companions are totally possible for human beings, they just might not come so naturally. If you can think about how great a pet can make you feel, though, simply through their unwavering admiration and love, it only makes sense that showing your spouse that type of affection will make them feel adored!

Take a hint from our four-legged friends, and show your spouse how much you love them!

For more advice on how to strengthen your marriage, check out the StrongMarriageNow System today!
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Dr. Dana Fillmore and Amy Barnhart, co-Founders, StrongMarriageNow.com