Humans need dogs because “they don’t judge you” for what you’ve done, only for how you treat them now, an expert vet has said. 

Laois-born 'Supervet' Noel Fitzpatrick has written a book Dogs and Their Humans in which he explores why the relationship between man and his best friend is so important. 

In doing so he hopes to bring a little “light, love and hope into the world”.

One chapter tells the story of a couple who lost their baby through a miscarriage. 

Unsurprisingly, they are “devastated” but one thing that helped the husband, a man called John, was when his colleague brought his new puppy into work. 

“John comes out of the gloom out of the tragedy, a horrendous depression for himself and his wife,” Mr Fitzpatrick told The Hard Shoulder. 

“He goes home and he thinks, ‘Oh, I wish I could bring this joy home but I can’t because Natalie is so depressed and it’s just so difficult.’ 

“His best friend persuades him to get the sibling of this puppy that he had brought to work.” 

It is, Mr Fitzpatrick promised, a story with a “happy ending” but one he hopes you will buy the book to find out. 

A black Labrador puppy. Picture by: JOHN ALEXANDER / Alamy Stock Photo

For so many millions of people around the world, having a dog is what makes life worth living. 

Unlike human beings, a dog will rarely let you down and their love is unconditional. 

“The thing about dogs is they peel back the veneer and they see you for who you really are,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. 

“You’re either kind or you’re not kind to them. 

“They don’t judge you on what you did five-years ago, they judge you on what you’re doing right now.”

According to dogs Trust, 49% of Irish households have a dog.

Main image: A girl and her dog. Picture by: Alamy.com