They could not bear the considered him being lonely and alone downstairs. 😢
Spike is a rescue canine that was adopted into Catherine Morris’ household in Yorkshire 9 years in the past. The household had determined that Spike would keep downstairs and never be allowed upstairs however he had a distinct concept. He didn’t need to let his people out of his sight. Catherine stated,
“The primary time we had him, we closed the stair gate and went to mattress. He whined for a few minutes earlier than leaping over the gate at nighttime and trotting up into my mother and father’ room and straight up on the mattress! And that’s the place he slept from then on.”
In accordance with Catherine, Spike likes to snuggle and when he sleeps in mattress with them he’ll attempt to push himself beneath the blankets in order that he could be as near his people as potential. Nonetheless, Spike is fourteen years outdated now and has had two strokes so he’s not within the biggest of well being anymore.
For days after Spike’s second stroke, he couldn’t stand on his personal so the household carried him round the home. When he relearned how one can stroll he was nonetheless too weak to get himself up and down the steps. For concern of Spike hurting himself on his trek up and down the steps, the household arrange the stair gate once more. One other precaution that they took was to begin sleeping with him on the sofa in order that he wouldn’t strive his outdated trick of leaping the gate. Catherine stated,
“This new schedule began whereas I used to be away at college, so my mother and father spent alternate nights downstairs with Spike. Since I moved again house, I’ve joined the rotation so all in all we get a bit extra sleep between the three of us.”
Catherine’s dad goes the additional mile to make it possible for Spike is comfy and has every part he would possibly want through the night time. A real testimony to the outdated saying {that a} canine is a person’s greatest buddy. She stated,
”They’re inseparable. My dad calls him “outdated bean” and so they’re at all times chatting away. My dad may even convey Spike his water and meals to the couch and feed him by hand to ensure he will get his medication and retains his energy.”
Catherine and her household doc Spike’s life on their instagram profile: @spikethespringer the place you possibly can see simply how beloved he’s and the way many individuals have been following alongside. There are photos and movies on his profile from when he was youthful and vigorous and in addition some posts the place he has slowed down a bit however has not misplaced his love for chew toys. Clearly his well being points don’t hassle him. In accordance with him, it’s solely his people which might be holding him again. Catherine stated of Spike that,
”We love our outdated boy a lot and are so glad to have him in our lives. Hopefully, we’ve got made up for his not so good begin in life by offering all of the love on the earth.”
Please SHARE this along with your family and friends.
Article Sources: The Dodo
10 Mental & Physical Health Benefits of Having Pets
Pets are family members. Like humans, they need love, health care, and attention. But pet parents’ relationships with their pets are not one sided. Pets give so much back in return, improving the health of our minds, bodies, and hearts.
The benefits of having pets are plentiful — and scientifically proven. Pets help their humans live longer, happier, and healthier lives mentally and physically. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) gathers the latest information on the positive health effects of companion animals. These researchers help make the case for adding a pet to a household.
From reducing the risk of heart attacks to alleviating loneliness, these furry family members are contributing to healthy communities.
Let’s talk about those benefits.
Better Mental Health
Pets can contribute to positive mental health through emotional work and practical work. The emotional work can be described as alleviating worries, stress, and depression. You may have noticed that your pet wastes no time noticing and springing into action when you are upset or sad. Their intuition is what makes them great support and therapy animals, and animal-assisted therapy is effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Then there’s the practical work that comes with caring for a pet. This means making sure their individual needs are met. Developing a daily routine of walks and feeding times can help pet parents with mental health conditions feel a sense of purpose that affects other areas of their lives.
The Data: Pets and Mental Health
A 2016 HABRI study explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing a long‑term mental health problem.
- Pets were found to contribute to a stronger sense of identity in pet owners with mental health conditions, including reducing negative perceptions of a mental health condition or diagnosis.
- Pets provide a sense of security and routine in the relationship, which reinforces stable cognition.
- Pets provide a distraction and disruption from distressing symptoms, such as hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, rumination, and facilitating routine and exercise for those who care for them.
Better Physical Health
Every little bit counts when it comes to physical health benefits, and those daily walks really add up for dog owners. Since they are more likely to meet the criteria for regular moderate exercise, dog parents have lower instances of obesity.
Your heart is one of the biggest spots to see the full benefits of pet ownership. Just the presence of animals has significant impacts on blood pressure, with pet owners having a lower resting blood pressure than people without pet babies.
Cat parents aren’t left out of the healthy heart race. A feline friend in your home reduces your risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), people without cats have a 40% higher relative risk of heart attack than non‑cat owners.
The Data: Pets and Physical Health
- Approximately 60% of dog walkers met the criteria for regular moderate and/or vigorous leisure‑time physical activity compared with about 45% for non‑dog owners and dog owners who did not walk their dog in a 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.
- In a study of adults over the age of 50 with mildly elevated blood pressure, the presence of a pet dog or cat had a significant impact on blood pressure, with dog ownership being associated with lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure compared to people who did not own pets.
- A study of over 2,400 cat owners concluded there was a significantly lower relative risk for death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack, compared to non‑owners during a 20‑year follow‑up.
Healthier Aging Process
Research has shown that older adults get social and emotional support from their pets that combats loneliness and depression. Aside from promoting exercise and reducing stress, pets also assist in the treatment of long‑term diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Pet companionship is also key for hospital and cancer patients. When coupled with animal-assisted activities, pets help patients with pain management and in interactions with doctors and nurses. Those patients also responded better to treatments and reported improvements in their quality of life.
The Data: Pets and Aging
- Results of a study of older adults who live alone suggest that pet ownership may act as a buffer against loneliness.
- Results of a one-year study that examined the impact of animal‑assisted therapy (AAT) on patients with chronic pain demonstrated that, following AAT, patients reported reduced pain, discomfort, and stress. Additionally, stress among nursing staff was found to decrease significantly following AAT.
- A study of older adults with mental illness living in long‑term care facilities concluded that AAT reduced depressive symptoms and improved cognitive function.
When we look at the data on mental health, physical health, and aging, it’s clear that pets contribute much to people’s lives in these areas, as well as being the loving companions we’ve always known they are.