Pet Friendly: The Secret to Happiness

Are you animal friendly ?Cat in your lap? Does a four legged friend greet you at the door everyday? If you have a pet chances are you already recognize the benefits. If you don't have a Spot or a Fluffy maybe you're missing out. Research does more than suggest animal tolerant households are happy places. The Centers for Disease Control admitt furry friends tend to mend moods, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In short Spot just may be good for your heart health. Now, there's a reason to wear red.

Live alone? Dogs and cats keep company well. Trixy the kitty makes a suitable t.v. buddy. The two of you can just curl up to CSI or classic reruns all night. What a way to end the work week and melt into the weekend! Never sleep alone again. Of course you can train Mittens or Cricket to sleep on the floor or in a comfy cat/dog bed.. Nah. Gotta keep warm. Worried someone will brake in on a dark night? Fear no more. Many big dogs can be kept inside depending on the size and set up of your home. There's always the back yard. Just please no long term, prolonged chains. Animals should be treated with respect. Speaking of... pets have been known to improve social skills. Take for example autistic children. Autism, full blown or in it's milder form known as aspergers, limits the person's ability to interact with others. Animals are a different story. Why? Animals think in pictures in relation to the way the autistic think in pictures as well. Once a human/animal bond is formed the individual learns to get along with someone outside their own skin. If you ask me that's cool even though I think in words.

Kids at home? Pets teach responsibility. Just be sure your child's pet is age appropriate. Our seven year old daughter feeds the fish in our room every morning. Cats need to be watched after as carefully as kids themselves if you have children [for the cat's sake.} Still, our daughter has bonded with Katy the kitty. She even helped me give her a bath the other day when little brother decided the cat's fur needed an olive oil shine. So, there are pros and cons to mixing pets and tots. However, children who grow up with "creature teachers" are more likely to become compassionate, earth friendly, and concerned about animal rights. So, do the math. Figure what's best. Teaching your child how to treat an animal [ be patient]? Or kids who won't sign a petition to save a dying species when they're twenty-eight?

Lizards, turtles and frogs... oh my! If reptiles don't freak you out kids can learn a lot about them from helping you care from them depending on the child's age. Younger children need to watch and take mental notes. Which creatures lay eggs? What do they eat? How cold is too cold for a gecko? These and more are all fascinating questions kids will love asking. And you know to never to give a baby [four year old even] a creepy crawly as a rooming buddy. So, let's go to the pet store after school everyone.

Mom and dad live with you now instid of you with them? You can't be there all the time. Research has also noted the mental/physical benefits of keeping pets well into the elderly years. People who can make their way in and out easily may enjoy taking a small dog for a walk. Or a cat is just fine. Again the pet should fit the person. Companionship is golden at any age. Don't forget a person who doesn't work outside the home will get lonely and maybe even bored. So, pets it is.

One last thought... there are a lot of needy animals out there who need to be adopted. If someone didn't bail them out and take them home, they'd either take over the world or face a death untimely. Just be sure you are cautious about strays and every stray should go right to the vet to get your new pet immunized. Many shelters provide shots for the price of adoption. Love your pet and live long. Ten four.