As I write this blog, I am away from home looking after my “grand dog”, Bruce. Bruce is a nine-year-old English Bulldog. He is adorable, although I must admit I was terrified when my daughter told me she had adopted a bulldog from the local animal shelter. It was a surprise for her, as she was looking for a small terrier-type dog. Not a 70-pound bulldog. Well, he probably wasn’t 70 pounds then, as he was only a year old, but he was big, rambunctious, and showed no fear.
Over the years, my family has come to love Bruce. He is a wonderful dog—very gentle, quiet, and kind. He lived with us for a few years before moving to another city, but we still see a lot of him as my daughter travels for work and can usually arrange to fly from our home, leaving Bruce with us. When that is not possible, I go to his place, a mere 260 km away. I love it!
Funny how our pets are such a big part of the family. I’ve always had a pet—mostly dogs, but some cats, a turtle, a bird, and even a rabbit. Currently, I share the house with three dogs, two cats, and three humans. (The cats belong to my youngest daughter.) I can’t imagine life without a pet to cherish.
Owning a pet is not for the faint of heart. It takes commitment, time, patience, and money (those vet bills can really bite, pardon the pun), but the rewards are boundless. A pet brings unconditional love, acceptance, companionship, and a lot of laughs. Of course, there are hard times, such as watching a sick pet suffer and finally saying good-bye. I’ve had many heartbreaking trips to the vet, and those moments will always be etched in my mind. But we must focus on all the good times.
If you’re an older adult, older as in over 60, and have never experienced the joy a pet can bring, it’s not too late. Pets, especially dogs and cats, are very beneficial for older folks. Pets provide emotional and social support, and studies show that having a pet can reduce your stress, lower your blood pressure, keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels in check, and, overall, improve your quality of life. That’s quite a benefit! WebMD reports that a 20-year study showed cat owners were less likely to have a heart attack than those who had never owned a cat, and dog owners had a better survival rate a year after a heart attack. In general, pet owners were less likely to die from any kind of cardiac disease, including heart failure. There is evidence that cat owners have fewer strokes. There isn’t really a medical reason for this (yet), but it could be because cats have a more calming effect on their owners, and cat owners tend to focus more of their energy on their pets, leaving less space to think about other worrisome or stressful things.
Of course, there are fitness benefits to having a pet, especially a dog. Just two 15-minute walks a day will help you stay fit and keep your dog at a healthy weight and in shape. Easier said than done, right, especially when you live in a cold climate. That’s why those in the business of pet apparel make a killing in the winter! Parkas, boots, toques, and all in the latest fashion!
Pets are good for our mental health. They are patient and good listeners. And although they can’t pass you a tissue, they seem to know when you are upset. I have vivid memories of coming home in tears after a trip to the dentist and curling up on the couch with our Springer Spaniel, Rudy. I remember holding on to that dog for dear life and soaking his fur with my tears. What did he do? He just sat there and took it all in, until I let go. Then he stayed with me until I was ready to get on with my day. I used to get really worked up emotionally when I went to the dentist, and though Rudy is no longer with us, I will be forever grateful to that dog for his love.
Having a pet and caring for them give us a reason to get up in the morning. It gives us a sense of purpose. One of the downfalls of retiring (and aging) is losing that sense of purpose we had from work. It is what gets us up in the morning, guides our day, and creates opportunities to live a better life. When you have a pet, they need to be fed, exercised, let out to do their business, and groomed. You know, taken care of. And if you live alone, a pet is someone to talk to. Now, I’m not saying that a pet should replace all human contact in your life, but it sure is nice to have someone around who won’t argue. LOL. Never ask for your cat’s opinion, though, because one way or another, they will give it!
My friend lost her beloved dog last year and recently adopted a puppy from a local shelter. Getting a dog was not something she took lightly. She thought about getting an older dog but fell in love with a much younger one. She looked at the pros (companionship, her love of dogs, a renewed sense of purpose) and the cons (training, vet bills, the ability to care for a young dog). The pros won. Now she is house-training, dog-proofing, and learning to share her space with a very energetic bundle of joy. She is so happy, and I don’t blame her. The dog is adorable!
Taking it to another level, we must give kudos to service dogs. We are all familiar with guide dogs and therapy dogs. Some are trained to do other things: they can open the fridge and retrieve medicine, or they can hit an alarm button to call 911. Some can even sense when a person is about to have a seizure or when their blood sugar is dangerously low. It is amazing! They are important to older adults who have health concerns.
Having pointed out a few of the benefits of having a pet in later years, it isn’t for everyone. Some people have never had a pet. Others have allergies. If you’ve moved to a smaller place or condo, pets may not be allowed. And if you plan on travelling, you need to have someone to look after Fido if you don’t plan to take them with you. Personally, we would never take our dogs with us when we leave the country. I have heard too many horror stories about what happens to pets in airplane cargo holds. We are lucky to have children who will look after the family pets when we go.
Well, I’d love to sit and chat about pets a bit more, but Bruce has just woken from a nap and is letting me know that it is time for supper. He is a creature of habit, and I sure don’t want to disappoint. Until next time. . .
Interesting Reads & Things
Bruce the bulldog (@brucethecdnbulldog) • Instagram photos and videos
How Pet Ownership Enhances the Lives of Older Adults (tuktu.ca)
The Value of Pet Ownership for Older Adults (usnews.com)
Pets may help health of older adults: study | CTV News
Top 10 Dogs For Seniors – YouTube
Wanderings Art 
Beautiful! After my brother and I moved out for college, my parents got home a cat and adopted a dog – they’ve been the best company for them! My parents enjoy their antics and little, funny things they do. It’s truly a lovely bond.
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