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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