The Many Benefits Of A Dog During The Menstrual Cycle

My late family dog, Maggie, was a beautiful white and black patched Staffordshire Bull Terrier with big, gleaming amber brown eyes.

Mum unexpectedly brought her home under rescue circumstances when she was only 6 weeks old, being no bigger than half a children’s shoe box.

Maggie became the core of our little family very quickly, writes Jordan Sky Finding.

Seeming to be the glue which peacefully held my mum, little brother and myself so tightly together.

As a single parent, mum didn’t always have time for devoting hours of her life to playing with my brother and me, so Maggie would fill that void growing up.

We would all sprint around the garden like maniacs together, giggling and even on some occasions, Maggie would join us on the trampoline! Mum would always be laughing and watching our antics, playing Maggie at quick games of tug rope.

When we got sleepy from playing, we would all curl up on the sofa together and watch movies, Maggie often asleep and snoring softly. She would always try to squeeze into the smallest possible gap, squishing herself as close to us as she could possibly get.

It was a love language, Maggie was the beating heart of our family.

Maggie was a constant companion and backbone for us and although we often named her a couch potato, she always brought the brightest energy with her wherever she went.

During her adolescence, Maggie provided us with many memories of her creating a ruckus.

She was food orientated and in turn, we have vast memories of going on family walks and having Maggie spot a picnic in the distance, only to succumb to her urges, hurtle towards and lovingly dive bomb into circles of squealing girls and families.

Worst case scenario? She may come out with half a sandwich. Best case scenario? An entire quiche, fresh out of the box.

Yes, this happened!

She was always closely followed by mum, bellowing “MAGGIE” and yelling things like “sausage, biscuits, CHEESE!!” At the top of her lungs to try and deter our delinquent hound.

Of course, Maggie was too clever for this. She had already found her desired meal, so why on earth would she return to our calls?

Although young, Maggie provided undivided love and support during all of our most challenging times.

Through bad mental health days, feeling poorly, even during major moves and minor fallouts, Maggie would always be present as a constant reminder of the family of love and peace.

We felt comforted by her presence and she always gave us the reason for us coming together and pushing onwards.

During every chapter of growth, Maggie provided moments of care and strength for us as a family and individually.

When I was a teenager navigating life, Maggie was always around. She would come out with me and my friends, sunbathe with me in the garden and she would always let me sing to her.

In more life-changing matters (literally), Maggie always seemed to stay closer during my times of struggling with anxiety and interestingly, during my monthly periods.

She would come and lay gently on my belly to provide warmth or just let me cuddle her for hours when I felt down and in pain. Even without trying, Maggie would always do something silly to make me laugh.

I always felt more soothed by her closeness and I didn’t realise quite how much of an impact she had during these times until I got to University.

I experienced my first period after arriving and I cried for about three days straight when suddenly it occurred to me, that the reason I was so upset, was because I didn’t have a gorgeously warm bundle of Maggie to cuddle up to and cry on anymore!!

This was my realisation that dogs are so much more than just pets, they benefit our quality of life in many ways - in my experience, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Mum always joked that Maggie was the best excuse for leaving social situations. If we were ever at a friend's event or a family gathering and our social batteries ran out, mum would shout the classic “we must get home for the dog!” And off we jolly well went.

As an adult, I finally appreciate how genius this is. Even in times of social excitement, your dog will be there to provide you with a perfectly acceptable escape route once your evening has run its course.

As my brother grew into adolescence, he had struggles with his mental health. This would fluctuate and increase the most around the 2020 pandemic.

Maggie always knew when my brother was having a difficult day and would often go and lay down on the floor with him whilst he processed how he was feeling.

She would just lay quietly and close, occasionally nose-bopping him or rolling closer. My brother said that he would talk to Maggie if he needed to as he didn’t always feel like speaking to us and even though he sometimes felt silly, Maggie was the best to vent to.

She would just lay and watch him and listen to what he had to say and even though he knew Maggie couldn’t understand, he would always say that it seemed like she could.

She always knew how to aid us and she always watched us with the most loving and reassuring eyes. During the pandemic, Maggie was our reason to get up in the morning and indulge in our one exercise outing per day - without her energy, we may have fallen into a rut.

When my brother and I both left home, Maggie again filled that void for mum. Suddenly all of her human babies had left and if it hadn't been for Maggie, the empty silence would have been deafening.

Mum said that her home stayed warm and life was made easier because she still had her fur baby. Maggie definitely turned into the queen of the household, FINALLY being allowed to sleep on mum's bed with her every night.

Although Maggie was now in her old age and often needed a hand to get onto the bed, Mum said she always felt safe and happy with Maggie there.

Maggie passed away peacefully on the 5th of November 2021, outside in the sunshine, laying on mum’s lap. We will hold our family memories with Maggie close to our hearts and we still giggle frequently about all the mishaps that come with owning a dog.

Memories of Maggie ripping up a lunch box every week for several months and then ripping up our tasty kitchen floor. Maggie knocking over a bin full of chicken feed, eating the lot and us finding her laying with a profusely round belly.

Maggie even used to dig holes in the garden and then find plant pots to put over her holes to cover them up again. Sneaky!

Fast forward to now, the summer of 2022

Mum recently found a new furry family member, a gorgeous white and tan rescue American bulldog named Luna.

After spending months thinking that she may never bond with a dog as she did with Maggie again, the power and love of a dog's soul have filled a family void once more.

Since having Luna, we feel more connected. Mum’s anxiety has lessened hugely and both her mental and physical health have been restored once again.

Mum is more active and feels as though she springs out of bed much easier knowing that she is waking up to Luna, going on walks in the mornings and playing together on the floor after work.

My brother and I find peace in knowing that our mum has a guardian soulmate in her newfound life with Luna.

I believe it is no secret that dogs hold immense power and happiness over our lives and well-being as humans.

Whether our furry friends are watching us from above like Maggie or are rolling around with us on planet earth like Luna, the memories we share and the mental, physical and spiritual benefits we feel from being a dog family, will forever be treasured.

- Jordan Sky Finding