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I've chosen to tell you about my dog Penny because she's been an important part of my life. I was only two years old when my family bought Penny from another family. The other family had to get rid of her because one of them was allergic to her. She is a Golden Retriever mix and was about two months old when we got her. She is now 12 years old. My Mom and Dad decided to chose the Lab/Golden Retriever mix because they knew it was known as a good family dog. According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States and the Golden Retriever is also one of the most popular breeds. Both breeds are known to be gentel, intelligent, friendly, reliable, and trustworthy and were originally bred to be hunting dogs. Both of these breeds have been trained and used as guide dogs for the blind and also to help law enforcement with drug detection. Penny has been a wonderful pet. She's very loving and enjoys playing with us. When I was very young, she would grab me by the wrist and try to walk me around. She wants to be wherever we are, inside or out in the yard and learned at an early age not to leave the yard. She always greets us at the door and whines with joy because she's happy to see us. My family and I have taught her several fun tricks. She'll do just about anything for a dog treat or people food, such as: speak, shake, sit, and lie down. She will even let you put a treat on her nose and flip it up and catch it. Penny also enjoys going for a walk and riding in the car. It is my job to feed her every day.

It has been proven that dogs can be good for one's health. Petting a dog has been proven to drop a person's blood pressure and reduce stress. Pets can help lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They have been trained to help people with hearing and physical deficits. They have even been trained to detect seizures and cancer. Many Labrador Retrievers have been trained to help service wheelchair users. Dog owners usually walk more than non-owners. They bring humor to our lives and help with feelings of loneliness, which is also a health benefit.

My dog, Penny, has brought a lot of joy to me and my family. Now that Penny has gotten older, she sleeps all the time. That's her favorite thing to do. She can't run the way she used to and even has trouble walking sometimes because of her hips. Her breed is known to have problems with hip dysplasia, which can cause severe arthritis and make it difficult to use steps and get up from a laying position. She still has energy in her though and loves to play with us and her squeaker toys. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. She's definitely been a special part of our family, and I will enjoy whatever time I have left with her.

"Health Benefits of Pets | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People." __Centers for Disease Control and Prevention__. Department of Health and Human Services. 18 May 2009 <[]>.

Kneifel, Charles L., Tracey Tessier, and William Adams. "American Kennel Club - Golden Retriever." __American Kennel Club - ack.org__. 19 May 2009 <[]>.

Kneifel, Charles L., Tracey Tessier, and William Adams. "American Kennel Club - Labrador Retriever." __American Kennel Club - ack.org__ 19 May 2009 <[]>.

"The National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program: The Health Benefits of Pets." __The Health Benefits of Pets__. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 18 May 2009 <[]>.

Scott, Elizabeth. "Health Benefits of Pets - How Owning a Dog or Cat Can Reduce Stress." __Stress Management - Stress Information and__ __Resources from About.com__. 1 Nov. 2007. 17 May 2009 <[]>.