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| Picture not by me, unfortunately, but I forgot the source! |
A May 2009 article on Physorg reports that Australia has saved around $3.86 billion in healthcare due to the health benefits of pets. Not only do pets increase happiness, they also help children learn empathy, and may help autistic children speak. After further research, prescriptions for pet ownership may not be far off.
So how about it? What benefits do YOU have from pet ownership? Feel free to post pics in the comments to break up this slow news day!
I love the Siberian husky on the left looking like a solider of fortune. It is true pets increase the endorphines in our mind that bring more joyful thoughts. This is why, its best to be more optimistic than you are pessimistic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun pic :)
ReplyDeleteI just typed a whole lot on teh subject and then realized I was gettign very off topic so decided not to post it lol After all, this blog is supposed to be a happy place, and I started drifting off to the sad side!!
I agree. I do animal rescue work, and I have seen countless people that have improved lives because of their pets. Elderly people tend to be happier from companionship. Kids learn about responsability, and forming bonds with their pets. It has pulled people out of depression.... Personally, My dogs have helped me thru some major changes in my life.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's one of my favorite pics. To me the cat and dog look like they're hosting a day-time talk show.
ReplyDeleteAlso jonathanfigaro, your blog "The Dropout Kid" is good stuff. I'm following it now :)
And Julia, don't be afraid to share. Yes this is a happiness blog, but sharing sad feelings can be a cathartic experience as well. Go ahead if you feel comfortable!
To Suzanne: animal rescue work is an important job. I'm sure you make a lot of people (and animals) happy!
Thanks, Derek. Well, what I was writing about is importance of one's reason to become a pet owner. I've been thinking a lot about the whole pet ownership benefits for the past 6 years (number of years I've had my dog for), and somehow I could never answer this question. I've always wanted a dog, ever since I was a little kid, but was always denied one by my parents. Then I had a history of depression and mom thought getting a dog would help and so I was finally allowed to have one, but, I coudln't choose just any breed and thus ended up with mom's favorite breed... To make a long story short, my poor dog had to go through a whole lot with me during this depressive and tearful period of my teenage years, and my desire for a dog has never been fully satisfied as in wanting a dog I wanted a pet I would train and play with (and chihuahuas are hard to train and mine doesn't play like a dog at all). A a result, I have a very stressed out dog, and I still want a dog, if that makes sense? I do love my pet, but I feel guilty for making his little life that hard - I'm a different person now but my dog is a strssed out one and I can't change this. So what I'm trying to say is, people should be a lot more responcible when it comes to becoming pet owners and even think of them as they would of children if it helps! Maybe getting a pet for the sole purpose of benefitting from it, even if just emotionally (like I feel my mom did), dooms the effect of such benefits at the starts. I believe it's when you approach it genuinly, that's when beautiful things happen. Basically, it's just like with any other thing in life! I feel like I'll forever feel guilty and I'm even getting slightly teary eyes here as I type this and watch my dog sleeping right beside me. There you have it... Sad!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is a good point about genuinely wanting a pet before getting one. Pets can't act as a Band-Aid for everything! You have to remember, however, that if your dog is stressed out, you might not be the cause of it (though of course I can't read his mind). If you take good care of him now and take him to the vet and stuff, that's probably all you can do. You might have to accept that he can't be trained, and if you still want a dog that can, at least now you know from experience what to look for, and can make an informed decision.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I hope things work out! ;)
Yep, it's axactly the way I look at it. I'm also goign to make sure that once I have my own kids I don't repeat the mistake lol As for my dog, I think I'm the reason here as I can see it judging by his behavior and reaction to things - he's doing a lot better now though. He has a hard time being in public places but he's very sensitive to my mood... Even with little things, for example, if, say, my mom says something I don't like hearing (for whatever reasons) he would run out to her and try to lick her mouth so that she can't speak any more haha He's very protective of me and my mood, so maybe he thinks that his main purpose is to make sure my mood stays at "happy" lol
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