By Iris Winston
Rufus, my cuddly ginger cat, has a paw tucked over his eyes as he enjoys his afternoon nap in one of his favourite places—a fuzzy brown dog bed.
Meanwhile, Charlie, my border collie/Australian shepherd cross, is relaxing at my feet, in preparation for announcing that his very accurate internal clock is telling him it’s time for his afternoon walk.
They look so peaceful and happy, it’s no wonder that their comfort level rubs off on me as I smile at them. There is no question that contented pets add to the contentment quotient in any household. By extension, this means that any stress drops and this alone has a positive effect on cardiovascular health.
It has long been well established that beloved companion animals help to keep their humans physically, mentally and emotionally healthy.
As well as providing comfort by their presence alone, furry pets offer an additional calming effect on the person who strokes them. In other words, simply sitting and stroking your dog or cat contributes to your heart health by lowering your blood pressure.
Further, physical activity is important for both human and animal health. It is also a basic requirement from a dog’s viewpoint. Therefore, there can be no talking yourself out of going for a walk, at least once if not twice a day, almost regardless of weather conditions (The possible exception is the perilous conditions created by freezing rain. Even then, expect a sad look from your disappointed dog if a walk is cancelled.)
Dangling a toy on a string in front of your young cat might not be as effective as a long walk with your dog, but it’s still about interaction, connection and movement and it’s still fun for pet and human.
An additional benefit of taking your dog for regular walks is the connection with the people and other animals you meet along the way. Animals are social magnets. Passersby comment on your dog’s looks or friendliness. Meeting other people out with their dogs is an opportunity for the dogs to greet each other and for you to chat with their owners. If you happen to meet regularly, you will certainly learn the dog’s name and probably his human’s name too, eventually. Some of the other dog walkers will become friendly acquaintances or perhaps good friends. Certainly, I have made some close friends over the years by connecting through our dogs.
Socializing remains an important part of everyone’s life. Older people living alone are at greater risk of isolation and, therefore, particularly need ways to connect with others. Pets are loyal and loving companions who make you feel loved and counteract loneliness in a big way. They are also a doorway from isolation to connections old and new. In addition, the responsibilities associated with pet
ownership, whether your day starts with checking and cleaning the cat’s litter box or responding to your dog’s first call to go outside, give you a reason to rise in the morning and a way to maintain a regular routine. Routine is definitely important to animals. Maintaining a degree of routine also helps to give people a sense of control over their lives.
Along with never being alone and being healthier and happier with a companion animal at your side, you are also likely to slow any decline in cognitive ability as you age. A number of studies have indicated that the human-animal bond and the interactions associated with pet ownership carry many benefits for social, emotional and physical health. Together, they tend to improve cognition and lower the risk of dementia.
Perhaps most important of all, animals are very good listeners. They seem to appreciate what you say, even if they don’t nod in agreement. They may not understand every word, though their vocabulary is often bigger than we know. They certainly always sense your mood and give unconditional love and constant comfort. They are always there for you. However you look at it, loving and caring for a pet is good medicine.
Almonte, Ontario, writer Iris Winston is a former Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. She has been an animal lover all her life. Her pets have always been important members of her family.
