Many of you are aware that I have three little lovebugs..... my dogs. I started with two of them two years ago, and most recently added Tucker, my toy fox terripoo. He is my baby boy! Squirt, my little princess, is a dorkie (dashund/yorkie), and Nitro is my morkie (maltese/yorkie).

Most everyone knows that a pet is certainly a great friend. For instance, after a difficult day, pet owners quite literally feel the love. Pets are ALWAYS excited to see you. Not a day goes by that my little ones don't run up and jump in my arms, giving me kisses and lots of warm fuzzies. They are great!

For nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They also boost our immunity.

The old thinking was that if your family had a pet, the children were more likely to become allergic to the pet. And if you came from an allergy-prone family, pets should be avoided.

However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma.

Pets are also good for the mind and soul. In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets.

People in stress mode get into a state of "dis-ease," in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system. Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries, the red flag for heart disease.

Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties.

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease -- lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels -- than non-owners, researchers say.

So, what does this all mean??? Well, that means that Dr. J is going to live a long life, a happy life, with lots of serontonin flowing freely in her blood stream, no artery clogging plaques, no loss of temper, and no illnesses. May the Lord bless all my friends, family, and my lovebugs who will all put up with me that long!!!