It's SCIENCE!

If you know me, even a little bit, you know how much I love my furbabies.  It's been suggested - and I believe it - that pet owners share more pictures of their pets on social media than they do of their spouses (perhaps even their children...)  Well, the DATA is in!  Pets are good for us!  In short, having a pet at our home is good for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well being.

About a year ago, when my mum was having some difficulties with living alone, my daughter suggested she get a cat.  Mum wasn't especially sure she wanted a cat.  In fact, she didn't have confidence that she would be able to take care of an animal.  Nevertheless, she (my daughter) persisted.  On a visit to Virginia last January, we dragged Mum out to the local shelter to find a companion.  With only three kitties ready for adoption, we selected the healthiest and most social, a very beautiful, grey female, who was given the name, Reecie, after Mum's affinity for a certain chocolate delicacy. (Yes, it's spelled wrong, but that was deliberate, apparently.) The positive impact of this furry new roommate was almost instantly noticeable. Mum fell in love with Reecie, and the feeling is clearly mutual.  Her concerns about being able to care for another being were for naught - Reecie is better fed, groomed, and doctored than most humans.  It's impossible to say who was better for whom, but the quality of life for both has improved tenfold. 

Without question, my own furry family have been paramount to my own recovery.  As insistent running partners, my dogs are quite literally the reason I get out of bed in the morning.  The animals provide quiet, steadfast support, when no one else even recognizes that I need it.  Years ago, my dad joked that he wanted the life of a cat, observing that their cat seemed to get more attention from Mum than he ever did.  After dad died, my own kitty never left my side.  Literally.  She followed me everywhere, sat on me when I was on the couch, sat at my feet while I ate at the table, slept right next to me for months, and even held my hand. I will swear to this day that dad finally got his wish... that his spirit stayed with me in the vessel that was the cat, for exactly the length of time that I needed him.

Aside from personal experience, though, which I'm sure many of us share, there is scientific evidence to suggest that having a relationship with an animal improves our health and our quality of life.  The physical health benefits of owning a pet include lowered blood pressure, lowered cholesterol levels, lower stress levels, and a decreased risk of dying from any cardiac disease or stroke.  Added to all of these are the health benefits associated with increased opportunities for outdoor physical activity... and, this is not exclusive to dogs, as you'll see that more and more people have feline adventure partners. 

Pets are a proven antidepressant.  Most importantly, they provide unconditional love and alleviate feelings of loneliness.  Physical contact with an animal, as in petting and stroking reduces anxiety and stress levels, is calming to the nervous system, and improves overall mood.  Additionally, pets improve our capacity for mindfulness, as they are the ideal examples of mindful living; they do not worry about the future or the past, they simply respond to their current situation - their joy as you enter the house after work, or simply when a can of food is opened.  Caring for an animal takes our emotional focus off ourselves, and can even provide a sense of purpose, and improve self confidence  - as with my own mum.  

The benefits of pet ownership and pet care for kids are countless.  Taking care of an animal helps kids to learn responsibility and commitment, loyalty and empathy.  And, of course, there are the specially trained service animals that help children cope with depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, seizure disorders, diabetes, sensory disorders, visual and auditory impairment, and a variety of mental health disorders.  Not to mention the overall health benefits of  getting more frequent exercise, time "unplugged," improved sleep, steady routines, and once again, that unconditional LOVE!

Above all, our furry friends can help us to reconnect - or connect - with ourselves.  They sit with us through our best and worst moments, sharing our experiences without judgment, and offering only love and loyalty in return for our company.  The trust that animals show in their humans is nothing short of amazing to me: to trust completely that we will do right by them, to forgive completely when we don't, and to show loyalty that is rarely demonstrated by another human.

As pet owners, we speak of animal rescue as if we are the noble ones.  It is my belief that it is they who are the rescuers.  

~Edward & Vivian - Pretty Woman~

Take care of you.  💖

This post is in recognition of National Love Your Pet Day, February 20th, 2020.