The Power of Pets and How to Care For Them Over Time

The Power of Pets and How to Care For Them Over Time

Keep Your Pets – You’ll Live Longer …


The advantages of adopting a pet are many:
• The pet is not destroyed …
• The pet finds a good home …
• Many more advantages that make pet adoption beneficial to animals.


However, did you ever think of the human animal?


In 1980, a clinical research project in Brooklyn, NY studied discharged heart disease
patients. Each survivor was tracked by a college PhD. It was reported that the presence of a
pet was the strongest social predictor of survival! In a study of heart attack patients, the
mortality rate of patients who had pets was 1/3 less than those without pets.
Further research backed this up by showing that having a pet decreased the overall mortality
rate by 3%! This adds up to approximately 30,000 people yearly, being saved by their pets!

Pets are a vital component in the well being of individuals, especially the elderly.

Often, the elderly feel isolated and lonely. Having a pet actually reduces this feeling.
To them, a pet offers friendship and a sense of being needed. According to the “Journal of
the American Geriatrics Society”, the elderly who had companion animals walked more
often and farther, which can positively contribute to their overall health and well being.

It’s a win-win … Check this out!

• Pets Lower Blood Pressure and pulse rate

• People with pets feel the need to see a Doctor 21% less

• People with pets are less depressed

• Pet owners find it easier to make friends

• Seniors become more active and take better care of themselves

• Pets offer unconditional love and affection

• Pets ease losses and help fight loneliness

• Security is enhanced for pets and people

When Pet Responsibility Becomes Difficult … What are the options?
Fido is a great companion who loves to fetch and go for long runs! Fifi is a cuddler
kitty and provides comfort when you feel down. Even Pretty Bird is a joy, talking
and acting like a comedian! You would not part with them for the world … but …
Many times, we feel as though we don’t have a choice. We get sick. We age. We often must
leave home. This can create anxiety, as you think you must give up your cherished pets. Pets
must have proper care, but circumstances can make that difficult!

Never fear – Here are the perfect options!

• There are kennels and most are very good

• There are pet day care facilities available.

• There are also pet sitters Pet sitters offer all kinds of options:
1. Day care
2. Pet visits
3. Dog walks
4. Most any service to aid in the care of your pets!

There’s No Place Like Home For Your Pet …

When searching for the best overnight care, whether for a day, a week or longer, the
best choice is always keeping your pets in their own home. Why? Pet stress is greatly
reduced, as your pets are in familiar territory. Taken out of their element, pets often feel
abandoned. They get anxious and can damage property, or even hurt someone. If
you must remove them temporarily from their home, choose a responsible pet sitter.

However, if that sitter will set up residence in your home, this is best option for your pet
and you!

Pet sitters are the best choice for the elderly, sick or physically challenged. You can
do your part and the sitter can pick up the slack, arriving once or multiple times daily to
walk pets, clean cages and litter boxes, feed, etc. This solution is key and affords you
the joy of keeping your beloved pet close and happy!
Let pet sitters consult with you. Meet with them before making agreements.
Be sure you are comfortable with them and most importantly your pets are comfortable with
them as well. Then you can relax knowing your pet(s) are in good hands and receiving…
‘loving care when you’re not there’.

My next blog article will be out in about 2 weeks.

Until then- enjoy your pet friends!

Nancy Barry
Proprietor
Leash On Life
"Loving Care When You're Not There."