Adopt a Pet and Make a Difference to your Life

Having pets increases the quality of life among human beings. Many benefits are derived from the company of pets, be they animals or birds.

Keeping pets reduces stress and loneliness. It has been medically proven that the therapeutic benefits are many. People who are ill recover better when they have pets. Pets are empathetic and can help their owners get better faster.

Having a pet, especially a dog requires its owner to walk it daily and by doing so, the person gets sufficient exercise which in turn helps to lower his high blood pressure and high cholesterol if he has these two conditions. Petting a dog can also lower his pulse rate. Dogs make you feel good. I once had six of the big fellas! Two of them, a German shepherd and a Rotweiller lived up to the ripe old age of more than 12 years. Caesar and Brutus died within a couple of months of each other, so close were they.

Cats are also very good companions. People who have cats for pets enjoy better health. Cats are also empathetic and a cat can certainly make its needs known. My cat used to nip my ankle gently when she was hungry, to remind me that it was time for her dinner! When I felt down she would rub herself her head against my calf. When I went away on holiday, on my return she would “nag” me first before welcoming me by rubbing against me!

Somehow the cats and dogs have a way of communicating with humans. They don’t talk yet their looks (yes, they do have expressions ) can speak volumes. Their intelligence is truly superior.

Having a pet also teaches a young person responsibility. The parents have to instill into their child that having a pet means taking responsibility for its well-being, spending time with it, playing and talking to it. A dog is not meant to be caged and left alone during the day only to be released at night to do guard duty. I believe a dog is as human as any of us. It needs love, companionship and understanding. It needs proper nutrition, exercise and medical attention when it is not well.

Taking good care of your pets will bring you lots of joy and incomparable companionship. However, there’s no need to buy pets. There are so many up for adoption, in need of loving homes. You can make a difference in their lives and yours.