Did you know that November is “Adopt a Senior Pet Month”? And while Sam didn’t come from a shelter, he is considered a senior. I’d have snatched this sweetheart up in a heartbeat if he had been at a shelter. Scientific research has shown that pets improve the lives of their human companions. First hand experience has underscored that fact many times over for me. Check out these 9 ways adopting a pet isn’t just good for the pet; it’s good for you as well.
- Pets owners have a greater level of self-esteem than not non-pet owners. Pet owners are often more extroverted and less fearful than non-pet owners.
- Pet ownership can help reduce the risk of allergies. Contrary to popular belief, being exposed to pets early in life may actually decrease your risk of animal allergies later on. A study from the department of bio-statistics and research epidemiology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit suggests experiences in the first year are associated with a healthy status later in life and that early life pet exposure does not put children at risk of being sensitized to these animals later in life.
- Pets can reduce negative feelings. Similar to how thinking about a good friend may help you feel less negative about a bad social experience, thinking about a pet may have a similar effect. Psychology Today conducted a study on 97 pet owners who were unknowingly subjected to a negative social experience. They were then asked to write about their best friend. The participants who wrote about their pet or best friend showed zero negative feelings and were equally happy after the negative social experience. The control group of non-pet owners however exhibited negative feelings.
- Pets can reduce loneliness. In addition to boosting self-esteem, pets can reduce the level of loneliness we feel. One study found that people with pet dogs reported having social needs fulfilled as effectively by their pets as by their friends. Despite the ‘weird cat lady stereotype’ it appears people don’t rely on their pets more when human companionship is lacking. People don’t turn solely to their pets but rather enjoy their company in addition to their human friends.
- Pets make us feel supported. Pet owners feel they receive as much support from their pets as they do from their families feeling closer to their pets when they also feel closer to important people in their life.
- Pets make us want to stay healthier. It just stands to reason when you’re a pet owner you are more likely to move around than be a couch potato when you have a dog or cat begging for attention. Studies shows that pet owners tend to be more healthy and active than non-pet owners.
- Less stress. The mere act of petting a dog or cat can reduce stress levels. Studies seems to support the fact that pets can help reduce stress and provide greater comfort than our friends or spouses. Their unconditional love and lack of judgment make pets the perfect anti-stress remedy.
- Animal magnetism. Owning a pet can actually draw others to us and improve our human relationships. Pets are obvious conversation starters which may attract others to us.
- Stabilize blood pressure. Sam and I have seen first hand how a patient who was petting him had a significant reduction in high blood pressure after just a few minutes. The difference was truly remarkable and even the nurse commented on the level of reduction.
Apart from all those health benefits, adopting a senior pet can often be easier. Think lack of teething on your favorite pair of shoes, or furniture legs. 🙂 They may well be pros at performing basic commands. Older pets tend to be more calm and can adapt easily with a new family routine. With an older pet, what you see is what you get. Senior pets seem to be grateful for the new opportunity at a loving home. Their personalities are well-formed and you can easily figure out their needs for exercise and attention. Remember too, you’ll be saving a life when you adopt a senior pet.
So stop by your local shelter or ASPCA adoption center and consider rescuing a pet. No doubt you’ll soon be asking yourself, “who rescued whom?” When you visit your local shelter, don’t forget those senior pets. They make great companions and invariably have so much to offer in return. You’ll improve the life of both your pet and yourself. <3
Have you ever adopt a senior pet? What was your experience?
I did, a couple of years ago – 6 year old female boxer. Not that senior but a year in she got cancer and we ended up having her for only two years. It was probably the best two years of her life and my dogs adored her – she was lovely. But I don’t know how often I can stand the heartbread of watching a dog dying. She died in my arms, with the other two around her but the next adoption is going to be a youngster….
Losing a beloved pet truly IS heartbreaking (have been there with them in my arms and it is gut wrenching so I know how hard that is). The only way for me to find even a small amount of comfort it to realize they are just on ‘loan.’ It was only slightly helpful but helped me find some small comfort. May your next adoption stay with you a long, long time and provide you with even more ‘best years’ of your life. <3
Awesome post. I adopted my two as adult dogs and they’re certainly calmer and less demanding now as seniors. They both came to me with more than a few issues so I really appreciate every noticeable ‘improvement with age’ 🙂
Klaus has no issues unless you count Lulu. 🙂 But seriously I cannot conceive of owning a young pup again-rather like the stability older/calmer dogs offer. But then there’s Sam…so I must be full of crap!
Wishing I had adopted a senior at times like these…
Puppy puddles are the WORST to slip-and-slide through at 2 am when she whines incessantly at me (undoubtedly to let me know she has left a small resevoir in the hallway on the tile). I then have to get up to let her out, only to have her nose take over and make me wait at least an obligatory 15 minutes before she tires of sniffing the same 7 spots she has been going back and forth to becasue she doesn’t need to actually pee. And all the while, the “old man” sleeps right through the whining, cursing, mopping, cursing again, stubbing of the toe, and then more cursing, until of course, I make it back to the bedroom again, whereupon HE proceeds to wake up (because I trip over him), and decides that, since I’m awake as well, he might as well have me let him out to take care of some business- sniffing, peeing, sniffing some more, wondering around, listening (yet he’s almost deaf!) to the night sounds in the bushes, etc. Oy!
And that reminds me, I desperately need to go buy more coffee…
~ Sleepless in Paradise
Haha, I almost pity you, almost. But then it’s not minus 14 when you let said pooches out at 2 am, now is it? Hence the almost. BOL 🙂
Wonderful post…and such a beautiful picture!
Phabulous photo. What I’m really looking for is a dog that adopts senior guys with beards and then lavishes attention and dark beer on them for the rest of their lives.
Aren’t we all?! Thanks for the kudos on the photo. The pet photographer even made me look good! Sam of course is no problem but I take crummy photos. 😉
You look gorgeous and Sam is both handsome and noble. I’d call it a Kodak moment but nobody remembers Kodak anymore.
Thank you, you’re too kind. We’re both dating ourselves when we say it was a Kodak moment. Haha
There is a couple in France giving homes to elderly dogs who would otherwise be put down…Twilight, if I remember the name rightly. They do a wonderful job letting elderly dogs live out their lives in comfort with the best of veterinary care – and love.
Good to know there are kind people all over-Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Senior pets let you skip a lot of the hair-pulling without ever skipping an ounce of love. I love seeing dogs with a good gray beard.
Boy isn’t that the truth! 😉
My ggrandparents adopted a senior dog once. He was sick (big C) and nevertheless they gave this dog a home and it was a good time, even when the dog lost the fight against the darned cancer after 4 months.
Your grandparents did a wonderful deed and gave that senior pooch the best life those late few months. My hats off to you.