Brits are so besotted with their dogs that new research shows our furry friends are not only treated like family, but are even shaping our wills, values, and the legacies we hope to leave behind
Britain’s obsession with their four-legged friends goes far deeper than daily walks and belly rubs, as new research reveals just how much dogs are shaping our lives and even our futures.
From treating pups like children to making major life decisions with their canine companions in mind, it seems our pooches are influencing everything from family bonds to what we leave behind.
Consequently, the nation’s love affair with their dogs runs deep, as more than 10 million dog owners treat their dog as they would a child. Moreover, 51% said they share the same bond with their children.
Additionally, over half (53%) said they feel just as emotionally close to their dog as they do to their partner.
The research by charity Guide Dogs, which commissioned the research to understand how the nation’s bond with their own dogs influences the legacy they hope to leave behind, found that nearly one in two (49%) dog owners would put financial plans in place should they die before their dog, a sign of just how central dogs have become to family life.
And Brits aren’t just planning for their dogs, they’re planning because of them, as more than half (53%) said their dog has influenced what they would include.
In fact, three-quarters (75%) of dog owners want their legacy to help others experience the companionship their dog has given them.
A further 78% said significant life experiences – including owning a dog have prompted them to reflect on the kind of legacy they would like to leave behind.
With nearly two in three guide dogs made possible through Gifts in Wills, leaving a gift can turn love for a dog into life-changing independence for someone with sight loss through the charity’s services.
While reflecting on the legacy they’ll leave behind, over two-fifths (45%) admit they have delayed writing or updating their Will, highlighting a gap between intention and action when it comes to putting long-term plans in place.
But a legacy goes beyond leaving a will, it’s about what we’re remembered for, with over a third (36%) saying their dog makes them want to be a better person, and 28% believing that having a dog has encouraged them to be more generous.
Additionally, nearly seven in 10 (69%) said their relationship with their dog has influenced the values they live by, while 42% agree their dog has made them more empathetic towards others.
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