They Say You Can’t Buy Happiness… But Then There’s Your Dog

You’ve probably heard the saying: “You can’t put a price on happiness.”

But when it comes to our dogs—the joy, the comfort, the companionship—someone actually tried.

A recent study set out to quantify the emotional and psychological value pets bring to our lives. Not just in warm fuzzies, but in dollars. The results? Let’s just say your dog’s love might be the most valuable thing in your home.

Science Says: Your Dog Is Worth A Lot

The researchers behind this study looked at how pet ownership affects key areas of well-being: stress, emotional health, loneliness, and self-esteem. Then they calculated the implicit value—in other words, how much someone would have to be paid to give up their pet.

The results varied by individual, with a final assessment landing at $145,000. Across the board the emotional payoff was crystal clear: having a dog significantly boosts mental health. People with pets reported:

• Lower stress levels

• Improved emotional regulation

• Higher self-worth

• Less loneliness

• A stronger sense of purpose

And if you're reading this with your big dog asleep at your feet, none of that surprises you.

Big Dogs, Big Feelings

For those of us living with giant breeds, the connection hits different.

These dogs—our Danes, Saints, Newfies, Pyrs, and beyond—aren’t just companions. They’re constants. Weighted blankets with a heartbeat. Emotional anchors that ground us when life feels overwhelming.

They make us laugh when we want to cry. They keep us moving when we want to shut down. And they somehow know when we need a paw on the knee or a chin on the foot. You can’t teach that.

It’s not just that they’re big. It’s that their presence feels big. Protective. Reassuring. Safe.

It’s Emotional—But It’s Physical, Too

The benefits of big dog love aren’t limited to our feelings. They show up in our health, too.

Studies have shown that dog owners:

• Have lower blood pressure and resting heart rates

• Are more active overall (thanks to those daily walks)

• Get outside more often and spend more time in nature

• Stick to routines that support physical and mental wellness

In short? They help us show up for our lives.

What We Owe Them

It’s easy to talk about what our dogs do for us. But the flip side matters too: what we owe them in return.

Our dogs give us their best. It’s up to us to give them the best we can.

That means:

• Keeping them active, but not overdoing it

• Feeding them well, with ingredients that nourish

• Supporting their joints, hearts, and bodies as they age

• Learning their breed-specific needs

• Creating a home where they feel safe, loved, and never like an afterthought

Because the truth is, their lives are shorter than ours. And what they give us in 8, 10, or 12 years… can change us forever.

The Real Value of a Dog’s Love

Whether science says their companionship is worth $20,000 or $200,000, we already know the answer: it’s priceless.

It’s in the way they greet you like you’ve been gone a year, even if it’s only been five minutes.
It’s in the snoring under your desk while you work.
It’s in the way they follow you from room to room just to be near you.
It’s in the quiet, everyday moments you don’t post about—but feel in your bones.

So today, go hug your dog. Toss an extra treat. Let them stop and sniff that patch of grass a little longer than usual.

Because the love they give us isn’t just worth something.
It’s worth everything.