Dogs: The Key To Happiness by KatieLemon on November 17, 2012 Novelist George Eliot once said, "Animals are such agreeable friends -- they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." After over ten years of being a pet owner, I can say that I wholeheartedly agree with Eliot. My dog is the love of my life. Chico was a shelter dog, abused and abandoned by his previous owner. When my family adopted him 10 years ago, he had major behavioral issues and we wondered if adopting him from a shelter was the right choice. Thankfully, multiple bite marks and disciplinary measures later, Chico finally calmed down and was permitted to spend holidays in the living room rather than the backyard. Despite the hardships, Chico brought my family closer together and continues to bring happiness every day (even when I live a thousand miles away.) If you have owned a dog, you understand how much of an impact the little animal can have on your life. Whether it's a lick on the face in the morning or a happy greeting when you get home from work, dogs are truly man's best friend. From my experience, here are three reasons a dog can significantly increase the quality of your life: Dogs are great companions. Whenever I walk through the front door, Chico greets me by jumping up and down, running around the room and panting with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. It may sound silly, but there's something