When I posted a photograph of my pet dog Snowy on social media yesterday, the number of likes and comments I received far exceeded what I usually get on any of my professional photographs. Snowy, our adorable little Maltese, has been a part of our family for the past four years, and his charm seems to work not just on us, but even on friends and strangers online.
Growing up, I was always surrounded by dogs. My childhood was brightened by Moti, our loyal indigenous breed dog, who had a unique routine—every morning, he would walk with me to the school bus stop and refuse to leave until my classmates waved to him from the bus window. Later, we had Jimmy, a fluffy Pomeranian who was the apple of our eyes. I still remember one Diwali when Jimmy, frightened by the loud firecrackers, ran away and hid in the large physics classroom of Fergusson College where we lived in the teachers’ quarters. It took us half a day to find him, and when we finally did, the entire campus celebrated because Jimmy was so loved by everyone.
When my kids were growing up, we had two dogs—Pluto, a majestic Labrador, and Jingle, a cheerful little cocker spaniel. They were like siblings in our home, sharing our joys, our laughter, and our lives.
My daughter has 2 dogs a beagle Coco and a Labrador Max and my sister has a Beagle named Sunday as he came home on Sunday! Our family is indebted to these pets who have brought immense love in our family!
People who don’t have pets often ask me, “Why do you need pets? Isn’t family enough?” But for those who have pets, no explanation is needed—they know the answer. Pets, especially dogs, are not just companions; they are healers, friends, and unconditional sources of love.
Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, is now a recognized method of stress relief and emotional healing. Research has shown that simply spending time with a dog can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increase oxytocin, the hormone responsible for bonding and happiness. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, interactions with animals can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness.
When you come home after a long, tiring day, your children might be busy with their own activities, but your pet dog will be at the door, tail wagging, waiting to welcome you with unconditional love. That joy, that loyalty, that excitement—they are nature’s most effective stress busters. A few minutes of petting or playing with a dog can slow your heart rate, improve mood, and even help manage mild depression.
Understanding the power of pets in improving emotional well-being, I introduced pet therapy on every residential campus of Symbiosis. We keep two friendly dogs—either Labradors or pugs—on each campus. Students, often away from their homes and families, find these campus pets to be companions, friends, and stress-busters. I’ve seen students light up after spending just a few minutes playing with the dogs, feeding them, or simply sitting with them during exam stress. These dogs have become part of the campus culture, and students genuinely look forward to returning to campus because they miss the pets as much as they miss their friends.
Dogs are naturally intuitive; they sense our moods and respond to our emotions. They don’t judge, they don’t hold grudges, and they live in the present moment—a lesson we humans often forget. Their unconditional love helps us slow down, breathe, and enjoy the little things.
For me, Snowy and all my past pets—Moti, Jimmy, Pluto, and Jingle—have been more than pets. They’ve been family, teachers of love and patience, and therapists who never charge a fee but always give more than we could ever ask for.
If you’ve never experienced the joy of having a dog, maybe it’s time to visit a shelter or spend some time with a friend’s pet. You might just discover that happiness sometimes comes with a wagging tail and a wet nose.