It turns out that not only is having a dog good because you get a loyal companion, it could also provide health benefits.
Researchers have found that dog ownership cuts the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 36% for people who live alone.
The news comes after a study of more than 3.4 million people in Sweden. Their medical and pet ownership records were analysed to see if there were any health benefits of dog ownership.
Tove Fall, professor of epidemiology at Uppsala University, said it appeared owning a pooch had a major impact on people who live on their bill.
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"We see effects in the single households that are much stronger than in multiple-person households," she told the Guardian. "If you have a dog you neutralise the effects of living alone."
The study does not explain how exactly dogs have a health-boosting impact, but it's thought not being lonely can reduce stress and motivate people to live healthier lifestyles.
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If you're really lucky, one day your dog could even save your life. This was exactly what happened to Tony Baker, 59, and his wife Jacky, 68 earlier this week. The couple were fast asleep and hadn't realised their attic had caught on fire.
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Because the fire was confined to the loft, the fire alarms didn't go off, as sensors didn't detect the smoke. Thankfully, Holly and Poppy - who are one and three, respectively - did.
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"Had it not been for Holly and Poppy," Mr Baker said, "one of us or our neighbours could have lost our lives in that fire.
"At first I thought that it was just next door that was on fire, so I went out to warn them.
"But as I stepped outside, I saw that our roof was on fire too. It was one of the scariest things I think I've seen."
It would have been a lot scarier had it not been for the doggos.
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: Study, Dog, World News, News, health news, NHS, Sweden, Health,