Research has shown that laughter can increase longevity in humans. From Japan to Norway to Canada, studies show that the more opportunities you find to laugh on any given day, the more likely you are to live longer and with a better quality of life. As I have been researching the connection between laughter and longevity, I realize, I laugh all of the time.
The reason for much of my jocularity is my 5 pack of canine comedians! Even on days when it is tough to find humour, I need look no further than my silly clan of canine clowns.
Dogs are incredible mood lifters! Even in the face of great angst, my goofy Landseer's smiling face can make me belly laugh. She is a natural comedian who really does smile when she is amused. She dances, she leaps, she crawls on her belly. She thinks ravens are the messengers of death and will spend hours jumping and contorting, trying desperately to take flight. All of this makes for hilarity for anyone lucky enough to witness her antics! If laughter is the best medicine, then dogs should be medical doctors. They know just when to dispense a healthy dose of the giggles. 
Recently, friends had a tremendous loss in their lives. Arriving at our home for a little moral support, they carried with them a giant bone, almost too big for a giant breed dog to handle, as a gift for our dogs. They were so downtrodden when they arrived. They placed the bone on the kitchen floor while they sought solace with us. Our 10 lb dog toddled into the room and wrestled with the bone which was the equivalent of her body weight. She struggled with her prize until she was able to drag it off into another room where she could chew it in peace. Seeing this creature so determined to carry off this treasure made our friends howl with laughter. They commented on what a gift it was to laugh in a moment of great sorrow. Dogs do this all of the time!
Our newest arrival, our little 14 year old Poodle has a habit of leaping in the air like a gazelle when he is happy. No matter how many times I see it, it still causes fits of giggles. I suspect it always will.
Dogs don't worry about looking silly, in fact, they revel in it. If a dog sees that what he is doing is making you happy, he will continue to act in manner that elicits a happy response from you. The simple fact is that dogs love to make people laugh!
