A: After spending time with their dog

A dog really is your best friend in these tension filled times. Nothing beats being greeted by a perky pooch for relieving stress, reveals a recent poll of 1,000 dog owners. Many dog lovers actually feel as if they absorb energy and enthusiasm from their canine companions. After spending time with their dogs, a whopping 55 percent of those polled reported feeling more relaxed, 44 percent sensed a surge in optimism and another 44 percent felt less worried about daily troubles. “Forget wine or TV and interact with a dog,” says a spokesman for Mindlab International, which conducted the poll. “Our research shows that dogs are profound and effective stress reducers and increase feelings of contentment and relaxation.”