The Power of a Pet

If you are a cat person, you are aware of the "power" your cat has over the household and you.

But, that is not what I am talking about.

The word pet can mean our animal friend and what they mean to us or pet can mean the gift you give your animal friend, when you give pets and scratches.

Both meanings are very powerful in what they do.

The purpose of today's article is to rekindle in your mind, the benefits having a pet brings, to our lives and to that of our family.

I want to show you the "silent power" a pet has in creating the people we are.

Many studies have shown that children, who have been brought up in a home that has a pet or pets, grow up to be more caring individuals.

Caring for a pet and having it be part of their lives helps a child grow into an individual that has empathy toward other people and what is happening in their world.

Pets also help people who suffer from low self-esteem or are self-centered to focus on something other than themselves.

Taking care of a pet teaches nurturing; it brings fulfillment to the person who is caring for the pet.

In many cases having a pet is the first time many people feel love and are able to give love in return. Pets can be trusted, a lot of people cannot be.

Having a pet to talk to, especially for a child helps establish emotional stability. You can tell your secrets to your cat or dog and know that they are safe.

Pets accept you for what you are and they do not discriminate; they give unconditional love.

A pet provides all kinds of entertainment. Puppies and kittens are a joy to watch and promote laughter.

A family that laughs together will share many happy memories.

Pets can expand your social world. It's hard to visit a dog park or take a walk without someone stopping to talk to you about your pet.

People at parties love to talk about their pets and share stories.

Pets bring about physical contact, you can't have a pet without touching it and feeling its warmth and love. Many people are afraid of physical contact and a pet helps to release that fear.

It is within a pet's power to bring you to the center of your Universe and fill you with energy, peace, and contentment.

Not only can a pet do all those things, your pet can bring you better health.

Petting a cat, dog or anything else that is warm and fuzzy can lower your blood pressure and help keep it down for almost 24 hours.

If you are depressed, cuddling and talking to your pet can cure the blues.

Taking your dog out for a walk can help you lose weight and enable you to meet people (what better way to cure the blues.)

People who have pets are known to live longer.

Perhaps, it could be the responsibility for their care, that make even people who have had heart attacks live longer than people who don't have pets.

The elderly in nursing homes become rejuvenated after a visit from "therapy pets." Patients who normally don't talk will begin to talk about their pet's visit.

The power a pet has over our lives is endless.

Did you know that dogs played a great part in helping with the discovery of insulin for diabetics?

A dog is a great pet for a diabetic to have, as it forces them to walk, and exercise is good.

A dog could save your life, many dogs have saved their owners by alerting other people, when they have fallen or collapsed.

Cats and dogs have saved people from house fires by waking them up.

In this world of fickle friends and fly-by-night relationships the most dependable thing you can have in your life is a pet.

They will love you unconditionally, through thick and thin and in times when "your mother would not even like you."

That my friends, is the power of a pet!

Pets play a very important part in our lives. Most of us, as children have had a pet or two, if only a jar of fireflies. My world has always been filled with a variety of pets, having 6 children, allowed me not only to mother them, but to take care of all the critters they invariably brought home. If you enjoyed this article come and visit me at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com I look forward to "seeing you."

The Healing Power Of Your Family Pet

There are some very good reasons that Americans share their homes with approximately 68 million dogs and 73 million cats and spend about 34 billion dollars a year on their animal companions. Why the love affair with pets? Well, for one reason, there is significant scientific evidence that pets not only help reduce the amount of time we spend at the doctor's office, but they also improve the quality of our lives and increase our longevity! For Baby Boomers and Seniors, in particular this is very good news!

It has long been acknowledged that our pets bring us many gifts and life lessons - friendship, companionship, unconditional love, loyalty, acceptance and forgiveness.

Children, as well as adults and seniors have always shared a special bond with animals. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, among many others, become our brothers, sisters, and best friends. For many older men and women who are widowed, divorced or separated from human family members and friends and who are alone and lonely, these animal companions become their "children" and beloved members of the family.

Older adults trust and confide in their animal companions. A pet supplies security, a safe haven and comfort zone, in which we can let down our guard and truly be ourselves without worrying about how we look or act or appear to others. And an animal companion doesn't judge, blame or criticize us. It loves and accepts us just as we are. It is loyal and empathetic and stays close and supportive during hard times. It is beside our side when we are ill or sad or depressed. The animal is there for us no matter how stressful, difficult or challenging one's life becomes. In addition, for both children and adults and particularly the elderly, pets fill a basic human need to love and nurture.

Family pets also make us feel useful and needed. They encourage us to engage in life more actively as the pet depends upon its family for food, exercise and medical care. They entertain and amuse us - they provide fun and laughter simply by being genuinely who they are. They seem to understand our feelings and attempt to accommodate them. They enable us to have someone nonjudgmental with whom to talk and communicate. They tend to bring us closer together as families as they share so much of our lives with us - day in, day out, holidays, vacation time - even when we're having a meal, reading, talking on the phone, watching television, and so on.

But the benefits of pet ownership do not end here. Animals may serve as a uniting thread in a family that is undergoing significant lifestyle changes. For example, families experiencing Empty Nest or Retirement as their children go off to college or on to marriage and families of their own may experience loneliness, depression, anxiety a sense of loss and purposelessness which the comforting presence of animal companions can decrease or even help eliminate. A pet's presence may help ease these transitions.

There are many physiological as well as psychological benefits associated with pet ownership. The simple act of petting an animal friend has proven to be of significant physical and psychological benefit. His presence has a calming effect. Blood pressure is reduced. Heartbeat is improved. Resistance to disease is heightened and tension is decreased. Our animal companions reduce stress, fear and anger. They also decrease loneliness and depression. As we get older, these pets can also offer us a sense of well being, encouragement, support and friendship. Loving and caring for an animal companion helps us to remain active and stay healthy. They may even provide us with a new purpose in life and a reason for living.

Our animal companions provide us with so many gifts. They serve as our friends, teachers, healers and guides. They teach us patience, loyalty, grace and gratitude. Most importantly, they teach and bring us the most precious gift life has to offer - that of unconditional love.

DIANE POMERANCE Ph.D. is the author of six highly acclaimed books and numerous articles. She is an internationally recognized pet expert who has been interviewed on countless radio and television programs, newspapers and magazines.