Life is Healthier with a Furry Friend

  

Maury came to our life 7 years ago. I will never forget that day (12/11/2010). I was driving back home with my new puppy, who was crying nonstop in his travel crate. Suddenly, it was silence. I could not look back and check on Maury, because it was a snowy day in Massachusetts and I needed to focus on the slippery road. My first thought was that my dream pug-let was already gone from my life!  How could this be? However, a loud snore disrupted my crazy thoughts… At this moment, I realized that I did not merely become a new dog owner, rather, I grew to be a proud mom of a furry child. :)

Dogs become special members of our families.  Their unconditional love warms our hearts, reduces stress and even makes us healthier by improving exercise tolerance and lowering our blood pressure.

Benefits of Walking a Dog

Regular walks with dogs help pet owners to meet exercise requirements for ourselves, which calls for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. This exercise recommendation provides major benefits to our health such as lowering blood pressure and heart rate, and helping us to maintain a healthy body weight. These benefits are associated with lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

In general, dog owners should take their pet for a 15-30 minute walk twice a day. During this time, dogs and owners are getting their exercise, bonding together and interacting with the outside world. Dogs are also a good icebreaker and they help their owners to meet new people. It is very common for pet owners to greet each other and engage in conversation with others about their furry friends.

Relaxation and Stress Relief

Spending more time outdoors in the fresh air and enjoying the beauty of nature takes the focus away from daily problems. Dogs do not worry about the past or the future; rather, they live life in the present moment. Our pets teach us to value the small moments of life that bring us lasting joy and satisfaction.

Dogs help owners to recover faster from stress. Some studies suggest that dog owners experience less cardiovascular reactivity during stressful situations. Their blood pressure and heart rate are elevated less often and return to the normal range faster than with non-pet owners.

Dog ownership is associated with increased levels of serotonin and dopamine. These two happy neurotransmitters contribute to well-being. These chemicals help us to stay calm, focus on the task at hand and resist depression. Spending more time with animals also results in decreased levels of cortisol, which is a stress-related hormone.

 Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. Hugging or petting beloved animals lowers blood pressure and rapidly calms us down.

Dogs are loyal companions. They do not judge us and they love us unconditionally for who we are. Caring for them boosts our self-esteem, as we feel needed and wanted.      

Responsibilities

       There are many health benefits to owning a dog, but it is not a magic pill to wellness. Owning a dog is a major commitment for at least 10-15 years. Pet owners are responsible for providing a happy and healthy life for their pets, just as they do for human children.  Of course, this involves a lot of love, time, and sometimes, money.

Three months ago, our pug Maury was diagnosed with severe thrombocytopenia (ITP). His recovery has been a long, complicated process.  At times, it has even been an emotional rollercoaster with a big financial commitment and many sleepless nights. He may be just a dog, but… as in the words of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, “He was only a Fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But I have made him my friend, and now he is unique in all the world.”

Maybe it sounds strange to some people, but for our family Maury is much more than a dog.  He is our furry kid. My husband and I decided to do everything we could do to help Maury fight his autoimmune disease and keep our family complete. Even though we were very dedicated, we were not ready for all of the challenges which came with the treatment process and the side effects of the various medicines that have been required for the past several months. In this healing process, our family dynamic has changed.  Although it is difficult to admit, we have often felt that we were losing our emotional bond with Maury because of changes that were taking place in him.

With each day, week, month, and year to come, we are blessed with our first child, who just happens to be our furry child. We do not know how long Maury will be with us but we treasure each day of his life… and ours too!:)

In The End

        Our pets steal our hearts, fill them with happiness and make them even stronger but everything has an ending. One day each pet owner will be left with a broken heart when their pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, but all of the many benefits of pet ownership ensure that every second is well worth it.  

Health, Happiness, and Harmony to You and Your Pets

Kay

References

Having a Dog Can Help Your Heart – Literally. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2018 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/having-a-dog-can-help-your-heart--literally

Mubanga, M., Byberg, L., Nowak, C., Egenvall, A., Magnusson, P., Ingelsson, E., … Fall, T. (2017). Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death – a nationwide cohort study. Scientific Reports. http://doi:10.1038/s41598-017-16118-6. Retrieved May 25, 2018

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