A Pet at Home

CEBU, Philippines — Some people dread the idea of welcoming a dog or cat into their home. A pet animal at home comes with the responsibility of caring for it. And it’s so easy to get emotionally attached to pet animals – in a short time a furry friend cease being just a friend, but a member of the family.

But it is not a one-way relationship that pet owners have with their pets. They share a mutually beneficial relationship. Having a pet brings benefits for the owners – from the emotional and social impact of their presence to the physical and mental benefits.

Those reluctant to take the plunge may consider the facts that Lisa Cowan shares in an article at www.telegraph.co.uk. For longtime pet owners, these facts may serve as a heartwarming reminder as to how their furry friends have improved their own lives:

Physical Fitness

Pets need regular activity and, if a dog is one’s pet of choice, it can mean daily brisk walks to help the furry friend keep in shape. In turn, the dog owner also gets the benefits of regular, low-impact exercise. According to a recent survey, 36 per cent of pet owners said that having a pet has helped them lose weight. With a dog, there may be no longer need for a personal trainer.

Social Life

Having a pet animal can even have an impact on its owner’s social life… in a good way. Walking the dog around the local park or taking it to the vet’s clinic are just two settings where its owner has the opportunity to meet new faces and interact with people he or she might not otherwise have come into contact with. And the owner shall not be surprised to be stopped by strangers in the street who are eager to pat her furry friend and find out more about her.

Childhood Learning and Responsibility

Having a pet in the home is a great way for children to learn valuable life lessons in a fun, rewarding way. From the daily responsibility of feeding, exercising and caring for the animal to understanding more about illness and loss, it can equip children with the emotions to cope better with important life events as they grow up.

Companionship

The sheer presence of a pet in the home can boost one’s mood, especially after a hectic day at the office or even following a difficult conversation. The stresses of life can melt away as soon as one walks through the front door and see his beloved pet, desperate for his affection. The pet is also his go-to companion when watching TV or cuddling up to read a book with on a cold night. What’s better than a furry ‘hot water bottle’ who listens to every word he says and doesn’t answer back?

Mental health

Not only do pets provide companionship and help improve their owners’ physical health, they can also provide therapeutic and emotional benefits. According to Ingrid Collins, a consultant psychologist at the London Medical Centre, “A pet is better than Prozac. Animals have a completely different agenda to humans, and bring things back to basics. They want comfort, feeding, and love. In return, they give huge affection.”