Pets as Comfort in Life
Pets are a great source of comfort to many baby boomers these days. Pets have always been a source of comfort to people, but as you age, they help to fill many gaps.
The benefits of living with pets are many. Here we will discuss only a short list. Please feel free to share how your pets help you in everyday life.
Pets Help to Ease Loneliness
If you’re alone, having a living, breathing companion in the house is comforting. Someone to take care of, someone to walk, nurture and feed. They’re a constant companion and a good one. Dogs will follow you from room to room. Just knowing they’re there is comforting.
I talk to my dogs, and they understand. Some people may think it’s crazy; I don’t think so. Dogs truly understand their owners. They get it. If you’re paying attention, you will see it in their eyes.
They Give You Reason to Move
Dogs give people a reason to get up in the morning. You must walk the dog. You must get up, get dressed and take them out. It also gets you out of the house where you will likely meet other dogs and pet parents. It’s fresh air and exercise for both of you and maybe even some socialization with neighborhood people and their pets.
They Give Us Comfort
Pets offer us a sense of solace and calm when the going gets rough. Our pets have an innate ability to understand and sense our moods.
If you’re feeling down or you’re sick, they understand. They will stick by your side until you’re well, helping to comfort you along the way. They just want to please. They’ll sleep with you and watch out for you.
Taking the Stress Away
If you are anxious, they will calm you. Stoking the fur of a beloved cat or dog or whatever animal is calming in and of itself. It has been proven that animals help to reduce blood pressure, anxiety and even depression in humans. For a depressed person, having an animal takes away feelings of being alone, because they are not alone. These are emotional support animals, and they can be a lifesaver for some people.
Practical Helpers
There are also specially trained dogs who are trained to perform specific tasks. They can be taught to alert us to seizures, turn lights on and off and even take clothes out of the dryer. These are true service dogs trained to help the disabled, and they do a wonderful job of it. Service dogs are not emotional support animals.
A Loving Companion
Pets offer unconditional love. They want nothing from us but to be loved.
The positives of what having a pet can do for humans is nothing short of amazing. How often have we seen a dog go in to save a family after they suffer a terrible loss, yet the family feels they saved the dog. In truth, they saved each other.
Pets have been wonderful companions throughout my life. Each one was special in their own way. I know I will always have a dog or two. It is my hope that people who have found solace and gratification in having a pet for the first time will continue to do so for many years to come. We depend on our pets, and they depend on us.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
― Anatole France
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Are your pets comforting to you? What are your day-to-day interactions? How do you benefit each other? As pet lovers, I’d like to think so. If you’d like to have a conversation, let’s talk about it!!!
We just got ourselves a 4 year old female Blue Heeler/Pittie/Great Dane cross. She is helping us get over the loss of our previous angel of a dog. Normally we have waited a lot longer in between, but my husband was just so sad and it is helped enormously. My concern is that we are in our seventies, and what if something happens to us> I hate the though of rehoming a dog that has already been rehomed. She handled it very well, was only anxious for 1 or 2 days but as we are retired we gave her a lot of attention which helped. I hate the though of not having a pet in the house, but at what point do you have to think about whether you will outlive it? I know every situation is different, I guess what I wonder is, when you can’t have a pet, what do you do?
I see that a lot. The area I’m in has a lot of baby boomers – some retired, some not, some older, some younger. I see it on Next Door where someone has passed and they are looking to rehome a dog. Just last week there was a gorgeous dog nine years old. They didn’t say, but the dog was well taken care of and in a local rescue – but not for long. People are always trying to help each other. When I lost one of mine who was on heart meds, I gave two bottles to a woman who had taken in an 11 y/o dog whose owner had passed.
I would try to name someone to take my dog. I don’t think I could stand an empty house either. If not, perhaps make arrangements with a local rescue or a friend to help take care of it for you. I know you can leave it in your will now. There must be an attorney on this site who would know for certain.
I had to re-home my young dog, he was biting. I’m utterly lost without him. I feel a failure. He has a great life now with other dogs and freedom to play outside, a lovely new owner so that makes me so happy but still I miss him terribly 😔
I’m so sorry things didn’t work out with your young dog, Karen. You’re not a failure. Maybe you need a dog a bit older. Of course only you know, but perhaps a dog who is older and trained might be a better fit and would fill a void for you. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you whatever you decide.
Thank you, yes if we did get another dog it would need to be older
Maybe in time we will.
Our dog, Jezebel, was the epitome of unconditional love. She was nearly 16 and we had to let her go…she had kidney failure. We took her to the vet because she’d had a week of diarrhea and became very picky about eating. They ran her blood and found it. She went to sleep. This is the sad other side of loving a sweet dog. We miss her very much!
I’m so sorry about your Jezebel. That is always the hardest thing we must do as pet parents, but the joy and love they give keeps me coming back for more. She sounds like she brought you much pleasure.
I agree that dogs are incredible companions. I run agility and do obedience work with my dogs. It gets me out and interacting with people of all ages who are like minded. One important codesole. You need to take care of your pets even if you are no longer able to or pass. Please put your pets in your will. Make them a priority. Set aside money for their continued care. Older pets specially need extra consideration for their care. Dont put this financial burden on others. Your pets depend on you always.
Thank you for bringing this up, Debra. It’s very important as many family members do not want the pets after people have passed. I see that a lot around here and also see some wonderful folks who are willing to step up and take the older ones. Putting them in your will and providing for them is a great idea.