They poop.
They eat.
They bark/make noise.
They dig.
They pee, puke & chew on your stuff.
They go to the vet.
They shed.
You can't just lock up & go.
(Sounds frighteningly similar to parenthood)
But how many really think about the disadvantages though, when the advantages of pet ownership far outweigh the inconvenience?
Now for the good news!
Nearly 25 years of research reveals the insurmountable evidence of physical & emotional benefits of pet ownership. Here are just a few.....
Physical Benefits
Increased Longevity after a heart attack:
Dog ownership increases the odds for survival in
persons who have had a heart attack from 1 in 87 to 1 in 15. Only 6% of non-pet owners survived at least one year after hospitalization for heart problems compared to 28% of persons with pets (Friedman, 1980, 1995).
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides:
People with pets have been found to have lower
cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to people who did not have
pets, even when matched for weight, diet, and smoking habits.
Illness and Death:
Children often turn to their pet for comfort if a friend or family member dies or leaves the family. Grieving adults who did not have a close source of human support were also found to have less depression if they had a pet.
Anxiety & Safety:
Pet owners tend to feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or having a dog in the home.
Stress & Relaxation:
Pets can help us relax and focus our attention away from our problems and worries.
Physical Contact:
This ability to have something to touch and pet is very important. More and more studies show how important touch is to our physical and emotional health.
Mood Elevation:
Pets decrease our feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing companionship to all generations.
Loneliness:
Pets can help ease the sense of loneliness or isolation we feel.
Purpose:
Everyone needs to feel needed and have something to care for. Many elderly citizens or people living alone will tell you their pet gives them a reason for living.
Consistency & Structure:
Pets provide some consistency to our lives. Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day.
I suppose there could possibly be more con's of pet ownership, but this is what I DO know (being a pet owner) as fact & cannot possibly be argued by anyone.
Every human universally wants one thing in life. We all want to be loved. Loved without condition or standards; through thick & thin, no matter who we are, what we do or how we become.
Pets are the only creatures on this earth that provide the unconditional, selfless love we all desire. The kind of love that never asks "what's in it for me" rather, is always asking what's in it for the beloved.
A pets love is the highest form of unconditional love we humans could have on this earth. They protect us, guide us, provide laughter & support. They ward against fear & loneliness, uncertainty and loss. A pet is more than just "man's best friend", but a love that transcends any other emotion in our souls.
Greyfeather Farm would like to see your favorite photo of your beloved pet. Submit one and be entered in our "Pet Photo of the Month"contest. Each month we will choose our favorites to post on our website & send the winner a free gift!
www.greyfeather-farm.com
Decrease blood pressure and reduce stress:
Studies of people undergoing stress tests or
physical examinations have demonstrated that the presence of a dog lowered
their heart rate and blood pressure during testing (Anderson, Reid & Jennings, 1992).
Increase physical activity and functioning:
People who own pets often have better physical
health due to the need to exercise and care for their pets.
Reduce medical appointments and minor health problems:
The use of prescription drugs and the overall cost of caring for patients in nursing homes dropped in those facilities where companion animals became part of the therapy.
Predict seizures & Hypoglycemic events:
Some people who have periodic seizures have reported that their dogs can sense the onset of a seizure or a Hypoglycemic event (low blood sugar) before it happens or the owners even sense it happening. Allowing owners to react to the pet alert prior to the episode of symptoms.
Emotional Benefits
Children often turn to their pet for comfort if a friend or family member dies or leaves the family. Grieving adults who did not have a close source of human support were also found to have less depression if they had a pet.
Anxiety & Safety:
Pet owners tend to feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or having a dog in the home.
Stress & Relaxation:
Pets can help us relax and focus our attention away from our problems and worries.
Physical Contact:
This ability to have something to touch and pet is very important. More and more studies show how important touch is to our physical and emotional health.
Mood Elevation:
Pets decrease our feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing companionship to all generations.
Loneliness:
Pets can help ease the sense of loneliness or isolation we feel.
Purpose:
Everyone needs to feel needed and have something to care for. Many elderly citizens or people living alone will tell you their pet gives them a reason for living.
Consistency & Structure:
Pets provide some consistency to our lives. Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day.
I suppose there could possibly be more con's of pet ownership, but this is what I DO know (being a pet owner) as fact & cannot possibly be argued by anyone.
Every human universally wants one thing in life. We all want to be loved. Loved without condition or standards; through thick & thin, no matter who we are, what we do or how we become.
Pets are the only creatures on this earth that provide the unconditional, selfless love we all desire. The kind of love that never asks "what's in it for me" rather, is always asking what's in it for the beloved.
A pets love is the highest form of unconditional love we humans could have on this earth. They protect us, guide us, provide laughter & support. They ward against fear & loneliness, uncertainty and loss. A pet is more than just "man's best friend", but a love that transcends any other emotion in our souls.
"The purity of a person's heart can quickly be measured by how they regard animals". Anonymous
Greyfeather Farm would like to see your favorite photo of your beloved pet. Submit one and be entered in our "Pet Photo of the Month"contest. Each month we will choose our favorites to post on our website & send the winner a free gift!
Don't forget to add your comments about the benefits of pet ownership. We'd love to hear from you!
Have a glorious day!
Greyfeather Farm
1. Anderson, W.P., Reid, C.M., & Jennings, G.L. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 157, 298-301.
2. Friedmann, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J.J., & Thomas, S.A., (1980). Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Rep, 95, 307-312.
2. Friedmann, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J.J., & Thomas, S.A., (1980). Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Rep, 95, 307-312.
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