Pets do more for Humans than we Ever do for Them

It is a known fact that pets do much more for humans than we do for them.

Pets can enrich the lives of the elderly in ways we are just beginning to understand.

In the case of seniors who often live alone, this is especially true. They are
guardians, companions and family, especially to those seniors who don't have
much family left.

It has been known for years that pets can aid in recovery
from illness, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. They also serve as
diplomats. If you have ever walked a dog you know what I mean. You meet
people. Not only are you getting exercise, but there is a social benefit as
well.

Pets enrich our lives in ways we never dreamed of. They are there for
us when others can sometimes not be there. They cheer us up when we are
feeling down, giving us a reason to get up and carry on. Pets are spiritual
creatures, and we have yet to understand all that they know. Because they
don't have a voice like ours we sometimes take that for granted. But they
know our very thoughts.

They sometimes know things before we do. There have
been stories of pets waking up their owners in the middle of the night to
alert them of danger. I recently read a story of a man in North Carolina who
had dementia and had wandered off and could not be found. He was found a
week later with his faithful dog by his side until the very end. The dog
never left him.

Sometimes people feel they are getting along in years, and they are too old
for a pet. It is never too late to have a pet. And if you are a family
taking in your senior family member, I encourage you to take their pet. You
just don't know how important this is to an older person. It is a joy to
have a pet in their lives.