Studies Show People Value Dogs More Than Their In-Laws

So even if your in-laws are not your favorite family members to be around, at least you have your dog! Which is more than some people have, so think of it as a good thing. Your pooch loves you unconditionally! And they'll never tell you how to raise your kids.

So there's that.

See what this study we found on The Telegraph has to say:

A poll has found that, for many British people, pets are more important members of the family than the in-laws.
The finding emerges from research carried out for the retailer Matalan as part of its “Made for Modern Families” marketing campaign.

But the polling found that the importance of family is as strong as ever.

When participants were asked what was their most important priority for their family.

Meanwhile the most popular answer was simply “their happiness”, chosen by 35 per cent.

But participants were decidedly less charitable when it came to the question of their in-laws.

When asked to choose who they would consider to be “close family members” from a list of options, only 21 per cent opted for their parents in law.

But 22 per cent selected their pet or pets.

Mark Earls, a behaviour expert, said: “Pets really add to the richness of the modern family and are considered just as important as close relatives and friends.”

“Ultimately, what we want for our families is what we've always wanted for those we love – health and happiness.”

Even though pups are preferred over family members sometimes, you should still be grateful for your family in general. Whether dog or human, a family is wonderful and is what you make of it.

Enjoy your relationships and hold your pooch close. And if you're curious, you can read more about these intriguing results on The Telegraph.