Thursday 12 June 2014

Having a Pet Cures Loneliness in More Ways Than One

It has often been said that a dog is “man’s best friend” and most of us who have had dogs over the course of our lifetime would very likely agree. There is, however, a certain group of people who may have never owned a pet and consequently have yet to understand the true meaning of this old phrase.
People who have advanced in their years and have faced the reality of living alone due to death of a spouse or separation from family are increasingly finding companionship by becoming pet owners. Many of these people have never been pet owners, or at least haven’t owned a pet since childhood, and are finding that the company that comes from having a pet goes far beyond just having your dog or cat greet you when you arrive back home.

Studies have shown that loneliness leads to depression and that this can become a slippery slope for elderly people who fail to address the negative effects of being alone. Older people who have lost their spouse may also have become socially isolated due to always having done everything together with the spouse that is suddenly no longer there. There are many free classified websites that people can go to in order to find companionship with the opposite sex, and while it works for some, it may not be the answer for everyone.
A study published in 2007 in Society & Animals concluded that pets “improve some determinants of mental health such as loneliness.” In a survey of 339 residents of Western Australia, the researchers found pet ownership to be frequently associated “with social interactions, favor exchanges, civic engagement, perceptions of neighborhood friendliness and sense of community.”

Having a pet creates purpose and purpose requires energy, which is exactly the formula that an elderly person needs when confronting a future of being alone. To acquire a dog, for instance, requires certain planning and this in itself is the beginning of the process of conquering loneliness. Elderly dog owners seem to find “significantly less dissatisfaction with their social, physical and emotional states,” according to a 1993 study by veterinary researchers at the University of California at Davis. There are many online classifieds where one can look to find the dog or other pet of your choice. Big dogs or little dogs, they are all there for your choosing.

The prospective pet owner must think about the kind of pet they would like. If the choice is a dog, what kind of dog would be the best choice? Is it best to choose an energetic dog or a quite dog? What kind of breed and should it be male or a female? Also, give yourself the time to understand the full impact of having a dog before you make your choice. Go to the park to see and talk with other dog owners and see how they react with others. Also note how certain dogs behave with children and when around other dogs. All of this will be important when choosing the dog that is best for you.

There are many pet classifieds to assist in finding the dog of your choice. Not only with locating the different breeds but also finding all of the accessories you may want to consider as well, such as toys, grooming tools and the appropriate food.

It’s never too late to become a pet owner. A dog truly is a “man’s (or woman’s) best friend”.

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