Pets
Will having a pet make you live longer?

Will having a pet make you live longer?

OK, let’s all agree, it won’t cure cancer. And it probably won’t lower your cholesterol. Oh, and don’t expect it to get you into Lance Armstrong. But owning a dog can definitely improve your physical and emotional health. With very few side effects. We will start with the physical benefits. For most of us, exercising is not at the top of the “favorite things” list. It’s exhausting, time consuming, difficult at times, and requires energy, which many of us have less and less as work commitments pile up. However, exercise has been shown to be essential for cardiovascular health and weight control, and it can lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Rufus enters. For Rufus, a walk with you, whether it’s five minutes or 50, is the highlight of his dull and sleepy day. (Also, you need to urinate and defecate, preferably not in your living room.) He’s ready when you are, and rarely complains about being too tired, cranky, or too cold outside. Your excuses for skipping exercise: You have PMS, you’re too busy, your yoga pants are too tight, he doesn’t care. All he wants is for you to walk with him … no leg lifts, no squats. Just walk. So you look at those poignant, pathetic brown dog eyes and put on your slippers. And you go. And then you do it the next day and the next. And before you know it, you’re exercising on a daily basis and have developed a training partner without even knowing it. Who needs an expensive trainer when you have a free one at home? And trust me, Rufus will NOT let you get away with cheating on your routine. Trust me.

Perhaps even bigger than the physical benefits of owning a dog are the emotional benefits. First, there is a greater opportunity for socialization, whether it’s at the dog park, at the pet store, at the water cooler at work (exchanging dog stories is one of the easiest ways to connect with coworkers) or in canine obedience class. . All dog owners have an unspoken bond, and it’s easy to find a level playing field when looking for the bag of poop. It is one more way of feeling connected with other humans. The second emotional benefit? Unconditional love It is the most basic of human desires, but it is often very difficult to achieve. Some people spend their entire lives looking for it. The funny thing is that it is easy to find. The nearest dog shelter has an unlimited supply. All you have to do is open your heart and your home. It seems strange that not everyone does not take advantage of this offer.

Most dog owners know that the emotional bond between dog and owner can be intense. It is true love / responsibility / parenting / companionship all rolled into one. Some people I know are closer to their dogs than to any human in their life, and they seem just as happy and well-adjusted (or more) than anyone else. The bottom line? This emotional connection can serve to alleviate depression, anxiety, or stress, build trust, enhance feelings of well-being, and create a happy, accepting, and joyful environment in which to live. So here’s your choice: ten years of expensive therapy or adopt a dumb and needy black lab? It seems like an easy decision.

Veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and researchers have presented studies and written pages of anecdotal evidence on the physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog, and you could write a book about it. But it is not necessary. Just go find a dog. Take it for a walk. Let him sleep at your feet. Talk to him as if he understands every word you say. And love it. You will not need proof. You will not need any books. In fact, you could write your own.

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