Do you keep in mind James Bowen, the poor avenue musician and his pal, the stray cat named Bob? Their nice friendship has taken the web by storm and drawn followers from everywhere in the world. Not solely did Bod change James’ life, he impressed the wildly widespread guide and movie A Road Cat Named Bob.
Sadly, there’s unhappy information for Bob’s followers, he handed away on Monday (15th June), on the age of 14.
The guide’s writer, Hodder & Stoughton, confirmed the tragic information on Tuesday, with a heartfelt word from creator James Bowen on the guide’s official Fb web page. His admirers have been surprised and saddened by the information.
“As James and Bob proceeded to search out followers everywhere in the world, Bob loved an exquisite life assembly well-wishers at guide signings, touring the world, and coping with feline stardom,” Hodder mentioned in a press release. He was a really wonderful cat who will probably be sorely missed.”
Up to now, James had a tricky life as he needed to battle with drug habit. His household and associates left him, so he needed to reside on the streets. He obtained his meals from the trash and attempt to earn cash by busking on the sidewalks.
Nevertheless, every thing modified when he met Bob – the ginger avenue cat all of the sudden appeared in his life. You possibly can learn extra about their story right here.
Bowen mentioned: “Bob saved my life. It’s so simple as that. He gave me a lot greater than companionship. With him at my facet, I discovered a course and goal that I’d been lacking. The success we achieved collectively by way of our books and movies was miraculous.
He’s met 1000’s of individuals, touched hundreds of thousands of lives. There’s by no means been a cat like him. And by no means will once more. I really feel like the sunshine has gone out in my life. I’ll always remember him.”
The disappointment surrounding Bob’s passing has been felt by many internationally. Bob crossed the rainbow bridge and went to heaven, however her spirit will proceed to reside on by way of his proprietor and his followers in every single place. Relaxation in peace Bob the road cat and the world will miss your candy face very a lot!
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.