Heath Benefits of Pets

HEALTH BENEFITS



Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)

Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

Health Benefits of Pets to Their Owners

-Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
-Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
-Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
-Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
-Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

supermarket sued over dog ban

Should service dogs be allowed in supermarkets? What if the dog is being blamed for causing damage to the store? This debate is going on in Connecticut

New Haven Register Article

The Cromwell, CT Dog Park Effort

Dog Parks are becoming more and more popular as dog owners look for ways to exercise and socialize their furry friends. In fact, many people inquire about the proximity of dogs parks when buying a new home.

I have since joined the effort of the passionate people in this beautiful town of Cromwell - located in central Connecticut. Our goal is to raise funds through private donations in order to construct a public use dog park.
For any companies who read this blog, we are currently asking for product samples for upcoming fundraisers (and money is always nice too! :-). The products will be used as door prizes and giveaways during our various events. Our next fundraiser will be an information/donation booth at the Cromwell Riverfest in August. We would be grateful for any help in our efforts to beautify a part of the community and create a place for dogs and their owners.
For more information about our efforts, check out this article http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/06/15/news/doc4c16f5ba0ecba526041112.txt.

More Health Benefits of Dogs

Did you know that just being in your pup's presence makes you healthier? Here's what the latest research suggests:

• Petting your pup boosts production of pleasure hormones in the brain, helping to keep your stress and blood pressure at healthy levels.
• Canine company aids the recovery of heart attack patients and has a calming effect on people with Alzheimer's.
• Regular walks with your dog lift your mood and improve your fitness.
• Kids who grow up with dogs seem to have stronger immune systems and may be less likely to develop asthma, eczema, and pet allergies later in life.

Rob Thomas Song Inspired by Dog

For those of you who are fans of Matchbox Twenty and their lead singer Rob Thomas, you probably already know that Rob Thomas is an animal lover. In fact, the song he wrote for the Disney Movie "Meet The Robinsons" which was released in 2007, was inspired by his dog.

As Rob Thomas tells the story, he was having a bad day, and gets back to his room, and his Terrier Mutt is there to greet him. The dog is just looking at him, not really caring that Thomas had a bad day. Seeing his dog made him realize that it doesn't matter how the day went, his pet doesn't care. And of course, the dog also cheered up Thomas.

Here is a youtube link to the video of the song.

Morning Lesson From My Dogs

Every day when my dogs wake up, they are excited. The are wide awake, full of energy, ready to start the day. I find that there are some lessons to learn from my dogs early morning routine.

The first thing my dogs do in the morning is come over to my side of the bed, bark, and wait for me to react. They then jump up and wish me a happy good morning. The Lesson? - Maybe we should all wish our loved ones a happy good morning.

Then, when I get up for them, they are excited to start their next day. They are happy to be here, happy to be able to start anew after a restful night. Lesson - We should also be excited that we are starting our day anew.

Even if I yelled at them the night before, they are always there the next morning happy to see me. Maybe I should take that lesson to heart as well.

The dogs never tire of their early morning walks. They don't make a fuss about seeing the outside world, or being able to walk around the block. Instead, they embrace the fact that they are able to leave the house and be with their care taker on another new morning. I guess I should follow that lesson and enjoy my morning walk and be thankfull for the exercise, and the fact that others can't walk and enjoy their mornings in this way.

I never thought I could learn so much from my dog's example in just a few hours each morning.

dog, pet lessons

Children's Book Review - CRASH

For those of us who grew up with pets, we can relate to the boy in author Mayra Calvani's new children's book, "CRASH."

Describing it as the happiest day of his life, five year old Marcelo instantly bonds with his new Golden Retriever puppy. He bathes his puppy, plays with him, and learns the responsibilities that go along with puppy ownership.

There is one major issue for Marcelo, finding a name for his puppy. After several suggestions from his parents, the name he ultimately picks surprises them, but in reality, is the perfect name.

I can relate to Marcelo's plight....naming things, especially pets, was never my best talent. I had a brown dog named...Buster Brown. I had a calico cat named....can you guess?....that's right....Cal.

Luckily, Marcelo's character has more imagination then I ever did!

For more information on the book, you can check out the blog's website, http://www.crashthepuppy.blogspot.com/.

Plus, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue Organization.

Do You Talk To Your Pet?

All About Pets is pet website from the UK and they recently posted a survey asking if you talk to your pet. Not surprisingly, 97% of those taking the survey said yes.

Do animals know you're having a conversation with them? In some ways they do. They get to know certain phrases and certain actions that go with those phrases. Like it or not, humans are creatures of habit, and our furry pets, especially dogs, learn based on repetition, so it's no surprise that they know our habits.

I have conversations with my pets all the time. That doesn't mean they know what the heck I'm talking about, and they aren't going to solve the price of gas problem, but they do become a way for us as humans to vent, and provide therapy in so many ways.

What kind of conversations do you have with your pets?

Dogs For Disabled Vets

http://www.petside.com/news/the-dog-tags-program.html

The Dog Tags program can be found via the link above. It's a unique program that benefits disabled soldiers coming home from war. But, the program also involves prisoners who are training these dogs. Essentially, there are two programs working together:

The Dog Tags Program: More and more soldiers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabling injuries that make it difficult to cope with the challenges of daily life. For this reason, Puppies Behind Bars has started the Dog Tags program.

The Puppies Behind Bars Program: Puppies Behind Bars is a program which trains inmates to raise Golden Retriever and Labrador puppies to become service dogs for the disabled and explosive detection canines for law enforcement.

There are many ways to help this program, including helping an inmate train a dog, and by making a donation.

Personally, I love the fact that dogs are helping these disabled soldiers to life a better life. Maybe more non-prisoners can come forward and help train these dogs? For me, the thought of making a donation to help a prisoner doesn't entice me to act. What are your thoughts?

Fish Not Boring

I've heard the familiar response when I tell people I have fish, that fish are boring. For any of us fishkeepers, we know that is far from the truth.

Fish can recognize their caretakers. Maybe not as much as dogs and cats, but fish do come to the front of the tank when their keepers walk by. Naturally, it may have something to do with the fact that the fishkeeper is also the one that feeds the fish, but many of our furry friends are trained with treats and food as well.

There are so many different varieties of fish, that you can put several fish hobbyists in a room, and they'll all have something different that they like to keep. Even the somewhat well known goldfish has a variety of strains, colors, and varieties. And each one has its own unique personality and habits.

Fish, as most pets, aren't without controversy. A few years ago, it was the arguments against genetically engineering a "glowing" strain of danio fish. Recently, the debate has been whether it's human to inject "glass" type of fish (those clear, colorless fish) with a dye to make them more colorful and "appealing" to the fish keeper.

Everyone has different animals and pets that they enjoy caring for, and no matter what your favorite, your pets make great pals. So enjoy caring for them, even if someone thinks your pet is boring.

Chihuahua saves boy from rattlesnake

Dog takes bites meant for 1-year-old, survives to prance with pride


MASONVILLE, Colo. - Zoey is a Chihuahua, but when a rattlesnake lunged at her owners’ 1-year-old grandson, she was a real bulldog.

Booker West was splashing his hands in a birdbath in his grandparents’ northern Colorado back yard when the snake slithered up to the toddler, rattled and struck. Five-pound Zoey jumped in the way and took the bites.

“She got in between Booker and the snake, and that’s when I heard her yipe,” Monty Long, the boy’s grandfather, said Thursday.

The dog required treatment and for a time it appeared she might not survive. Now she prances about.

“These little bitty dogs, they just don’t really get credit,” Booker’s grandma Denise Long told the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald.

Dear Non-Pet Owners

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About Our Pets:


1. They live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"nitur e.)

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less

2. Don't ask for money all the time

3 Are easier to train

4. Normally come when called

5. Never ask to drive the car

6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends

7. Don't smoke or drink

8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions

9. Don't want to wear your clothes

10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college.

And finally,

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children

pets dogs cats

Dear Dogs & Cats

This was from an email forward that is perfect for pet owners. Must be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

An open letter to our pets.............

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food.

Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.

Beating me to the bottom is not the object.

Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt.

I cannot stress this enough!

Pets are funny

All of us love the funny about our pets. It never ceases to amaze me how much animals develop their own personalities and habits. My dog Rocco, for example, loves perfumes, lotions, and drier sheets.

There is something in the smell of these items that attracts him. Any time we are wearing colognes or perfumes, Rocco’s always comes up to us when we’re sitting and tries to lick the perfume. Or, when I’m putting on hand cream, he always starts licking my hand like it is a treat.

The most annoying is his attraction to drier sheets. Doesn’t matter which brand– bounce, snuggle– he searches it out! When he sees that drier open, he immediately pokes his head in and sniffs around.

The funniest is when there is a load of clothes and he sniffs the drier sheet out. He actually pokes his head into the basket, pushes some clothes aside, and steals the drier sheet right out from the basket.

So now we have to be extra careful not to let the drier sheet slip out, or he’ll take it, hide under the bed, and tear that thing to shreds, eating parts of it along the way.

If he’s in the laundry room with us, we now have to shut the door so that he can’t run and hide if he happens to find the drier sheet before we do.

It’s the funny things our pets do that make us smile everyday and bring joy to our lives.


Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Maggie's Notebook, Adam's Blog, basil's blog, MONICA, Stuck On Stupid, The Amboy Times, , Conservative Cat, Jo's Cafe, Pet's Garden Blog, Allie Is Wired, Woman Honor Thyself, Pirate's Cove, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Pet Ownership Benefits of Health

Having a dog has been shown to be beneficial both physically and emotionally. Here are some of the findings:
- Dogs encourage people to get out and exercise. It gives you a motivation and reason to get outside and walk or move around. And, it's not as boring going for a walk with a dog then it is when walking alone.

-Pets can help improve your mood. We've all had bad days. But how many times have you come home and as soon as you walk in, your dog is jumping and wagging his tail and greeting you at the door? It's hard to stay in a bad mood when your furry friend is always so happy to be with you.

-Pets can help lower your blood pressure - Between the exercise and mood lifters as mentioned above, your stress level gets reduced and your blood pressure may actually drop.

- Facilitate laughter. Let's face it, pets do funny things, and make us laugh. Which then goes back to reducing stress and lowering blood pressure.

- Builds responsibility. A pet gives you something to care for and teaches you how to take care of another living, breathing mammal. Some first-time parents say their dogs helped prepare them for parenthood.

-Becomes a trusted friend. A pet is always there when you're sad, and always wants to be your best friend. Sometimes, my dog is better to me then people!

-A pet helps to keep you from being lonely.

-Improved sense of well-being. Again, a combination of a lot of the issues above, a pet helps you feel better overall.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Maggie's Notebook, , Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, The Amboy Times, The Bullwinkle Blog, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.