Films like Must Love Dogs (2005), Walking The Dog (2017), 23 Walks (2020) and Puppy Love (2023) all have one thing in common—the ‘meet cute’ of couples occurs while taking their pets out for a stroll and, slowly but surely, love blossoms. On April 11, celebrated as National Pet Day in the U.K., an online poll of 1,265 British dog owners confirmed that which many professional dog walkers already know: not only is having a canine friend a boost for human health, it can also lead to love or lifelong friendships between those who regularly cross paths thanks to the outdoor activities of their pooches.
The survey, carried out by Purina, pet foods division of Swiss multinational food and drink conglomerate Nestlé, found that nearly half of the respondents (44% to be precise) confirmed developing a minimum of one new friend when out on a dog walk. And two-thirds (66%) said that thanks to their pet dogs and the regular walks with them, they had warmed up to being more social with strangers.
Martina Mchowat, web lead for Purina.co.uk, said, “It’s well known that walking a dog regularly is great for getting people moving and active as well as creating routines and spending more time in the fresh air. But one of the lesser-known positive impacts of walking a dog is the increased social interaction many people experience.”
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She added, “Whilst dogs are getting the exercise they need, owners are often building new friendships with other dog owners. Amidst growing concerns about social isolation and the detrimental effects of loneliness, spending time walking your dog appears to offer owners valuable opportunities for meaningful connections.”
Many people admitted that walking their dog even helped them enter into conversations with new people. A whopping 79% of dog owners said they are more likely to talk to someone they don’t know when they are with their dog as they feel safer, confident, and more relaxed. Another bonus, which is probably the cutest, is that even their dogs end up bonding with each other. Asked if their dogs, too, became friends, 67% said yes.
Well, who says life can’t be like in the movies? Dog owners will tell you that all it takes is a loving pooch, a walk in the park, and a dash of charisma and confidence!
Also read: 8 key points to consider before bringing home a pet.
Sandy Pawpaw
Sandy Pawpaw is a fierce advocate of unleashing the animal in, and with, you.