Let's Take A Moment To Appreciate Our Pets
It is claimed that God said, "It is not good that man should be alone." I believe he was referring to having dogs as faithful companions. That's how pets, dogs specifically, became famous for "being man's best friend." All joking aside, about two-thirds of people claim to have a pet; furthermore 60 percent of those state their pet stays indoors and sleeps in their bed.
Having a furry companion can benefit and enhance a person's well-being and quality of life, but there are some downsides of having pet companions as well - if you're unfamiliar with the multifaceted implications of having a furry soul-mate in your life.
Natural Born Cheerleaders: No matter what your mood or disposition may be furry pets, whether they are cats, dogs or even horses, have an uncanny ability to lift your spirits when you're faced with depression, loneliness or just plain disappointment. They're simply champs when it comes to alleviating mental disorder, such as anxiety and stress.
A Furry Friend A Day Helps Keep A Doctor Away: Doctors, healthcare practitioners and those that work with victims of some challenging illnesses are moving towards a consensus that having a furry friend with you on a daily basis helps reduce physical conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels and lowers the risk of heart attacks.
They Help Us Stay Physically Fit: Because having a furry companion does require us to take good care of it, it behooves us to give them and ourselves needed daily exercise. Walks, "fetching" and other forms of outdoor play contribute to valuable weight loss and physical maintenance. Just 30 minutes a week of exercise does them a world of good. It's also a lot more fun if you do your exercise routine together!
They Are Great For Reaching Out To Others: Social ice-breaking is another thing pets help with. Whether you're on a walk at the park or around your neighborhood, just having a furry friend with you can initiate a conversation or even a new relationship with someone else. Moreover, several places that are more conducive to meeting other dog owners are dog schools, dog parks, outdoor cafes and online furry pet club websites.
Therapy Programs For Those In Need: Veterans of combat situations, the elderly, the blind, handicapped children and a host of other groups in need of special attention are today reaping rich rewards from having pet-facilitated therapy (PFT). Regularly used by many hospitals and nursing homes, this form of rehabilitation is proving a viable means to administer mental or physical help to those who need healing the most.
On The Other Hand And Things You Can Do To Thank "Fido":
- All this being said, a word of caution should be added: Not everything is rosy when assuming the ownership of a furry pet. Many apartments, and homes you rent as well, require special insurance coverage for having an animal on the premises; however, not all insurance companies insure accordingly.
- If you intend on traveling think about either taking Fido with you to a pet-friendly motel or hotel, and be prepared to pay higher room fees and charges for a pet roommate at hotels. Another option is leaving him at home under the care of someone you trust to watch over your pet religiously.
- Incredibly, not all retail stores, restaurants or means of transportation welcome service dogs. Be sure to know ahead of time which ones do.
- If you can't take Eloise the Calico with you, then be certain to check out a pet kennel or pet facility way ahead of time - without waiting until the last minute to do so.
- Be prepared for the inconvenience and expense of going to the veterinarian for shots, well visits, dog tags and registering your pet with local authorities. You should also set aside a contingency payment plan for pet health insurance, as well as arrangements for the sad, but inevitable, time when your pet passes away and needs to be buried.
There you have it, the pros and cons of pet ownership. I am the owner of two adoreable cats and it's challenging sometimes, no doubt. Nevertheless, you may still choose to proceed with one of the most rewarding experiences that life has to offer - owning a pet companion.
