Our dogs make us happy – even on Blue Monday

Friday the 13th, followed by ‘Blue Monday and the weather turning cold again. It seems to be a pretty depressing time of the year.?

Like most dog owners I’m lucky enough to have a bouncy, joyful partner in crime, Lexi, ridiculously excited about the prospect of her breakfast and an early morning walk to counter anything that January has to throw at us. That’s the joy of owning a dog. They couldn’t care less that it’s January, that money is a real worry for so many – they’re just thrilled that you’re awake and about to take them out.

Today Dogs Trust is launching our national campaign about the importance of dogs to our lives, and it’s the significance of little moments like Lexi bounding up to me this morning, multiplied by the ten million dog-owning households in the UK, that we want to protect in these ever-more-turbulent times.

People need dogs – they bring joy!

Last week, with Blue Monday looming, we worked with YouGov to poll dog owners all over the UK about how they were feeling about 2023, and whether owning a dog can help with mental health; always a big focus at this dark, miserable time of year.

What dog owners told us about how they’re feeling about the rest of this year was, unfortunately, much as we expected; a third (31%) are worried that the cost of living will impact their ability to give their dog all the care it needs in 2023 and, even more ominously, 3% even said the impact of the continuing cost of living crisis will mean they will have to give up their dog before 2023 is out. A further 3% said they’d have to consider giving up their dog.

It's simply appalling that people are afraid they’re going to have to give up their dogs this year because they can’t afford to look after them. It’s even worse when you look at the clear benefits of dog ownership; our polling also showed that an overwhelming majority of the UK’s dog owners – more than eight in ten (86%) - said their dog helps them feel more positive if they’re feeling down.

More than eight in ten (84%) of our respondents said spending time with their dog, such as playing with them or taking them for a walk, made them feel more positive.?81% said their dog is important to their mental health, with half – 50% - saying their dog was ‘very important’ to their mental health. So it’s definitive – dogs can bring us huge joy, despite the hard times we’re in, and we need to do all we can to ensure people and dogs can stay together.

Dogs Trust is here for dogs – and dog owners

With people relying on their canine companions to offer them a precious ray of joy through the darkness, our campaign, showing the story of Rob and Milo, aims to let dog owners know that Dogs Trust is here if they need us.

We know, from the number of people who feel they have no option but to call us asking if we can take their dog in - already at a record high in the first two weeks of this year, compared to previous years – that thousands of dog owners are experiencing problems of one kind or another. So our campaign is a reminder that we’re here, as always for any dog and any owner who needs some extra help.

Let us help make things a little brighter

As well as dog food banks now operating at some of our centres, Dogs Trust offers training, advice and support in a crisis to protect the relationship between people and their dogs. So, if you’re a dog owner who needs a helping hand in challenging times, don’t leave it until you reach crisis point; call us today, and let’s see how we can help make Blue Monday a little brighter.

Dogs Trust’s Contact Centre?can be contacted?Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm on 020 7837 0006 or at?[email protected]

Owen Sharp, CEO, Dogs Trust