Bhubaneswar, August 26: Dogs are no longer simply animals that share our homes. For millions of people, they have become companions, confidants and cherished members of the family. They greet us at the door, stay beside us on difficult days and quietly become part of our everyday lives.

Once valued mainly for practical roles such as guarding, hunting or herding, dogs today are equally valued for the emotional bond they share with humans. Research suggests that this relationship can offer companionship, emotional support and a sense of connection. As one participant in a study on pets and mental health said, “She's always there for me in a regular way of managing my stress.”

For many owners, caring for a dog is far more than feeding and bathing. Dogs have their favourite corners, toys, treats and routines. They appear in family photographs, accompany their owners on outings and, in many homes, even have their birthdays celebrated.

Kendrapara-based Kajal, who now lives in Bhubaneswar, knows this bond closely. Her dog, Tain, was born to Lily, a friendly dog who lived among the tenants where Kajal stayed. When Lily gave birth to eight puppies, Kajal immediately fell in love with her first-born and decided to keep him.

“I love him so much and take care of him like a baby,” Kajal says. From bathing and feeding Tain to cutting his nails and keeping him clean, she looks after him as she would a child. Tain, she adds, is equally attached to her and even becomes jealous when she holds another baby. He wears cute dresses, eats the food she cooks and has become a favourite among everyone living there.

The relationship is often built through such ordinary moments—morning walks, playtime, feeding and simply sitting together. For people living alone, a dog can also bring structure to the day and opportunities to connect with others.

But the bond has another side: loss. Bhubaneswar-based journalist Tuhina Sahoo remembers her puppy, Fluppy, as much more than a pet. “She was more than a kid to me,” she recalls. After Fluppy died following health problems, Tuhina chose not to bring another pet home because the pain of losing someone so close was overwhelming.

Perhaps that is the heart of the human-dog relationship. Dogs become woven into our routines, memories and emotions. They do not merely live in our homes—they become part of our lives.