MAN’S BEST FRIEND A RUFF RIDER

RESEARCH has proven dogs are the glue that holds society together.

According to the study by the University of Western Australia, people who have pets are more likely to have stronger social connections.

Varsity Lakes’ Mark Brereton and his labradoodle pup Bob Black enjoy meeting people and posing for pictures when they go for rides in Mark’s motorbike sidecar.

“He he loves getting his face out in the breeze,” said Mr Brereton. “It’s a really social thing having a dog. Everyone always wants to get to know him.”

The study found pets helped to encourage first meetings between neighbours and more than 60 per cent of owners reported they got to know their neighbours through their pet.

Pet owners who walked their dogs were likely to have better social connections.

But “Sidecar” Bob prefers life in the fast lane.

Picture: RICHARD GOSLING Mark Brereton regularly strikes up conversations with strangers while out riding with his labradoodle pup “Sidecar” Bob. Research shows people with pets are likely to have stronger social connections.