Why Having a Pet is so Good for you, No Matter your Age

Pets just make us happier and healthier

I have always had a pet for as long as I can remember back. It seems that having a dog or cat was just the normal thing to do for me.  I do know that some people don't have pets now and some people have never had a pet.  What a shame.  I find as I age, the benefits of pet ownership are so great that I can not imagine being without my fur babies.

I have researched this topic quite a bit and here is what I have found out:

• Pets help keep your brain healthy. (https://www.sciencealert.com/pets-help-to-protect-your-brain-as-you-get-older-study-suggests)
• Pets can serve as a source of comfort and support. (https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets)
• Pets help to lower your stress and anxiety which in turn may lower your blood pressure (https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets)
• Pet ownership may act as a buffer against loneliness (see above url)
• Pets help your heart stay healthy (https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/20/health/benefits-of-having-a-pet-wellness/index.html
  
• Pets can help to reduce pain (https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets)

There are many other benefits to owning pets that I found, but those are the top ones for me.  That said, I looked to see if owning a dog vs. owning a cat made much difference and I believe the answer is no.  The benefits of dog ownership include:

1. Dogs make us feel less alone.

2. Dogs are good for your heart.

3. Dogs help you stop stressing out.

4. Dogs help us cope with crisis

5. Dogs encourage you to move.

6. Dogs make you more attractive—even virtually.

7. Dogs make us more social.

8. Dogs are so adorable they make us love them

9. Dogs make us happier

10. Dogs help seniors with cognitive function and social interaction

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-science-based-benefits-dog/

The benefits of cat ownership include:

1. 
   Lower stress and anxiety.
2. Improve your cardiovascular health.
3. Prevent allergies.
4. Reduce feelings of loneliness 

(https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/joys-of-owning-a-cat.htm)

There was one amazing benefit of cat ownership that I was unaware of and the is:

THEIR PURRING HELPS TO HEAL BONES, TENDONS AND MUSCLES

A cat purring is one of the most comforting sounds in the world and while it certainly means your cat is happy and comfortable, the sound has also been long associated with a therapeutic healing ability on human bones and muscle.

A cats purr creates vibrations at a frequency of 20-140 HZ, and studies have shown that frequencies in the 18-35 HZ range have a positive effect on joint mobility after injury, scientists have begun talking about how the cat noise could help humans.

(https://www.goodnet.org/articles/7-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-being-cat-ownerPets)

Overall, I believe that there is enough scientific and anecdotal evidence to show that having a pet in your life is a huge benefit, even if you don't know it.

That said, go out and get yourself a pet now if you don't have one.  It is never too late to reap the benefits of owning a dog or cat; and there are so many out there that need homes and people to love and be loved by.  Go, Adopt!

I'm still here

I've been reading my blog and I realized (1) that I had not done much in the way of art for quite some time and (2) I had not posted to this blog for too long.  So, to fix problem #2, here is a new post.  I'm still working on problem #1.

I really don't know why I have not done much "art" lately.  I do know that my artisitc endeavors go in "spurts" and I don't really like that.  Usually I work on crafts or drawing to jump-start my desire to become more involved artistically.  However, I have recently gotten interested in two venues that seem to keep me at the computer instead of at the drawing table.  I love blogging!  I now have four different blogs and I like to work on them often.  I have discovered that once you become a blogger, you automatically become a blog reader!  I can lose hours each day reading other people's blogs about things that interest me.

The other venue I have gotten myself into is Squidoo.  I am trying to learn how to use this format to make money online.  I know, I know.  Everyone and his dog are trying internet marketing.  Well, I don't want to make a gazillion dollars and live in mansions all over the globe.  I just want to know how to do it and maybe make extra money to spend on my family.

So, in a blatant attempt at self promotion, I am inviting you to visit my blogs and leave me any comment you like.  I have one blog called The Mental Health Minute where I post useful articles and information I find about mental health issues.  Since I am a psychiatric nurse and have been for 20 years, you might say that this is a topic near and dear to my heart, and you would be right.  Feel free to visit the blog and learn more about this area.  We all are touched by mental illness in some way, whether because of stress, loss, or just family dynamics.

My next blog is called Nursing Notes and is about issues facing nursing today.  Here I talk about the changes I have seen in my 20 years as a psych nurse; I post articles I find about nursing in the news.  I try to give honest information about the profession of nursing and what that entails.  Please, visit my blog and leave me some feedback.  With the current nursing shortage, we all know someone who is thinking about going to nursing school.  Send them to my blog for current information all in one place.  I sometimes come across as jaded and biased, and I have to admit I am at times, but nursing is a great profession and one I love.  I do think we need some changes, but overall nursing is what I want to do.

In addition to this blog you are currently reading, I also have another Blogger blog about my life with my dog, Satchmo.  He is the love of my life and has been my constant companion for the last ten years.  He has driven across the country when I was doing my travel nursing.  We drove back and forth to California from Oklahoma not once, but twice.  He is a rat terrier and he is absolutely the "poster child" for that breed.  He is stubborn, energetic, loving, funny, and an escape artist.  Read all about his exploits and learn about the breed at Life with Satchmo.

Now, to talk about my Squidoo lenses, I have one about..ta...dah...........Rat Terriers!!  You can visit by clicking here Rat Terriers.  As you can probably see, I love this breed of dog.  I never knew there was such a wonderful type of dog until I had one.  I only got mine on a fluke.  A nurse I worked with had a litter and was desperate to get rid of the last puppies and I said, "Okay, I'll take one."  I told her I wanted a girl and I wanted one that was mostly brown.  I got a boy who is white with black and tan spots.  Go figure!

I've run off at the mouth long enough.  I will try to tell you about the other lenses next time.  Until then, stay safe and stay healthy!