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Pets: Your Best Friend

1. Dogs & other animals don't judge you, they just want to be with you and love you unconditionally. If you have treats.... they'll be your bestie forever!

2. Animals with a special personality can be a source of entertainment and laughter. As you laugh out loud or ooh & aah - warm-fuzzies will infuse your being and your stress melts away. See: LOL at Animals, the Best Medicine.

3. Having the worst day ever? Dogs & horses are sensitive to your hurts like a painful injury, and they can sense feelings you have like sadness, loneliness, anger, etc. They'll want to comfort you. However, horses can read angry faces and emotions - they're likely to become tense and not approach.

How Do Pets Improve Your Life?

4. Do you need a hug? Some cuddling? Animals you've bonded with will enjoy cuddle time just like you do.

5. Pets are flexible and just happy to spend time with you. If you're too exhausted by Friday night to walk - here's an easy remedy. Put some peanut butter in a rubber cone and your dog will happily snuggle on the couch for a movie night. If your pet's really big - there's an option. Take your laptop and a blankie to the barn and lay down with Lola the llama while you watch a show.

6. Having a dog especially, encourages you to exercise. Animals need it like we do for health - and walking is great. "Ready for a walk" and your dog is at the front door waiting before you can grab his leash. You can walk with goats, cats, donkeys, and other animals. If you you have a bunny or lizard (gross), tuck them in a pet carrier and off you go - to enjoy the fresh air together. Check out: Walk to Live Your Best Life.

7. Pets sometimes like to "show off". When they get all spastic and take a tumble, they'll quickly glance your way to say: "I did that on purpose". And presto, you're in a happier mood.

Photo left: Benny was a shelter rescue, and he was THE best. He loved to walk and go exploring with me - anywhere. In the cold winter months - he turned into a snuggle bunny!. I'd catch him taking a nap after he wiggled himself under the covers - and thought my pillow was community property! He passed in 2023 after living a happy 18 years. I miss him most of all.

Photo below left: My little Mindy with her tongue dangling. I rescued her when she was 10. She was the mamma having litter after litter in a puppy mill - which wrecked her body & teeth. Once she realized she was going to be loved, she had the best time for the rest of her little doggie life.

She was so sweet, but poor thing only had 1 tooth left so her tongue was often hanging. Where does all that tongue fit inside a little mouth?

These 2 got the same memo:

It's stick out your tongue Tuesday. LOL.

Pets - any animal or bird that you can develop a relationship with is beneficial to your life and health. Especially a relationship where you can touch, cuddle with, and play with will help improve your mental, physical, and emotional health. Let's learn how.

Pets Reduce Stress

Pets can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Petting, playing, or snuggling with your furry or feathered friend can decrease your cortisol levels - the stress hormone. It's also proven that we feel calmer & safer with our pets, especially if you live alone. Playing with your pet will give your mind a reboot, which is calming & relaxing - giving you a happier, healthier, and less stressed mind. Find more ways to reduce stress: Relax Your Mind or Go Cuckoo.

Increase Happy Hormones

Pets will increase the happy hormones: dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. Dopamine is the "feel good" hormone, endorphins are natural pain killer, and oxytocin is the love hormone. As you develop a connection with your pet or favorite animal - happy hormones are produced. Don't be shy - give them plenty of hugs, kisses, and snuggles.

Reduce Loneliness

Pets are great companions so you won't feel alone. Feelings of isolation without a trusted & available support system will amplify any negative emotions and stress you already have.

Lift Your Mood

Pets are great mood lifters. Dogs seem to have a sense of when you're almost home. They'll eagerly wait by the door, and when the door opens they jump into action - "I missed you, what took so long, I've been waiting". Who doesn't want to be greeted with that kind of love?

Pets will love you, entertain you, comfort you, be your bestie, and make you laugh out loud LOL. They're so worth the food you buy.... and poop you clean!

Build Confidence

Because pets give unconditional love, without judgment - we're able to focus on the positive benefits of Sparky in your life rather than feelings of failure, low self-esteem, and stress. Pets can build our confidence levels in a variety of ways.

Improve Socialization Skills

If you'd like to meet new people, and make new friends - take your pet for a walk. Go to areas with more people traffic like dog parks, the riverfront walk, the beach, or other popular spot. If you have a cute ribbon for your girl or a bandana for your boy, it'll get people's attention.

Adorable pets make great ice-breakers for conversations with other people. Even I'll start talking to a stranger asking if I can pet their dog. I tell them I need to get my doggie fix since both my babies are gone... and before you know it, we're deep in conversation. FYI: Socialize your dog as a puppy with other dogs, people, children, and different surroundings. When you dog grows up - you'll be able to take him anywhere.

Provide a Purpose

Pets give you purpose, and this is especially helpful for retirees. Your purpose is to care for your pet's wellbeing - love, attention, food, exercise, and health care. They truly become our "child" and we feel part of a family even when our human family is far away. Pets make us feel needed, wanted, and loved. And, you feel a sense of satisfaction by being a good provider.

Provide Comfort & Emotional Support

Pets, especially dogs & horses can sense your feelings - sadness, hurt, fear, anxiety, pain, anger, and more. Sensitive animals will instinctively want to comfort you by maybe resting their head on your shoulder or your lap. Pets in general are non-judgmental, will lay there and listen while you pour your heart out, and won't argue with you - except for maybe a husky or other highly intelligent goofball.

Pets Boost Overall Fitness

Pets that are mobile like horses, goats, dogs, etc. give you the perfect opportunity - and maybe the nudge you need - to get outside and go for a long, enjoyable walk. Being in the sun & the outdoors is beneficial, and so is walking, and so is being with your pet. That's a triple Win, Win, and Win.

Improve Physical Health

Having fun outdoors with your pet will strengthen bones & muscles, and tighten your core muscles. It will also improve your balance. Walking your pet or riding a horse are beneficial for the whole body. More ways for better physical health: What's Always With You & Healthier Than a Gym?

Improves Heart Health

Being active with your pet by getting your heart rate up 5-6 days/week will decrease your chance of getting heart disease, like heart attacks or stroke. What else improves heart health: Combat Stress, Avoid Heart Disease.

Boost Immunity

Studies show that pets help boost the immune system. Petting them exposes us to bacteria which helps us build immunity against it. Pet owners can also develop more antibodies that fight infection. Since pets reduce stress, that also boosts immunity. Young children also benefit with less chance of developing allergies.

Weight Management

Studies show that dog owners who get out and walk their dogs regularly are able to maintain a healthier weight than non-dog owners. Dog owners also have more stable blood sugar levels and tend to eat healthier. No worries if you don't own a dog - I've seen people walking with goats, horses, donkeys, cats, and birds.

If you're a cat person, or have hamsters or reptiles - ah GROSS - get a pet carrier or backpack so you both can get outside for fresh air and a walk.

Lower Blood Pressure

Any kind of fun, outdoor activity with your pet will help lower blood pressure and increase the good cholesterol. When your pet is cuddling with you or staring into your soul with those loving eyes, your body releases oxytocin - the love hormone. This lowers stress and blood pressure.

Anti-Aging

People who own pets, especially dogs are more likely to get out and walk. And one of the best anti-aging practices we can do is to get outside and move your body. Keeping your body strong, flexible, and mobile is the best thing for it. FYI: If you don't want to own a pet, then find a friend(s) and get outside and move your body. It's more fun with a buddy.

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