From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
Pets and your wellness.
OK, it's official. Pets are great for your wellness. Four years of testing on 7405 people at the Baker Medical Research Institute shoed that a group of 898 who owned pets had lower risk factors for heart disease.
Not only did they have 20% less triglycerides (the nasty sugars that in high levels are associated with increased heart disease), but they also haad 10-15% less cholesterol and lower blood pressure ; and they had similar diets and lifestyles.
So who needs drugs?! Think about it - are you guilty of walking into the house after work and generally ignoring the humans while you rush to the side of your pet and greet them much more affectionately than the human and then play with them for much longer than you play with your children? Lots of women tell me after conferences that their husbands do this so much that sometimes they lie on the floor next to the dog hoping they get the same attention!
Now, come on guys! Is this fair? And the men respond after conferences with 'yea, but the dogs pleased to see me!' If the women happens to be there first , she is usually pleased to see you as well - assuming of course that you do not intrinsically hate each other - but she is more intelligent thant the dog. The dog also notices you are in a foul mood and that you haven't unwound from work yet but it doesn't care - it says with it's wagging tail 'I don't care, kick me anyway!'.
Maybe women should wag their tails? Or pant enthusiastically? Anyway, notice what your behavior is when you arrive home. Do you give the human - partner or children - short shift and lavish attention and love on your pet? If you do , is this fostering relationships at home? Or creating a subculture of hate against the animal. (the pet , not you)
If you decide that you could perhaps in some small way modify your behavior to improve relationships at home , try this strategy. Walk in the door and instead of making a beeline for the animal give the person (preferably the grown up) a seven second kiss and hug. THEN pay attention to the children and dog/cat in that order. This may cause some jealousy and attention seeking behavior from the pet , but it should adapt and recover in a short time. Meanwhile, your personal relationships with the people at home should dramatically improve!
I have given this issue great consideration and really believe that humans respond to the unconditional love that pets give us. Dogs more than cats. Although, my parents have two gorgeous Burmese cats who are, in fact, cleverly disguised, very affectionate humans.
How many times in our lives do we meet humans who accept us unconditionally? Let alone love us unconditionally. You know, that sort of love that despite that fact that they know us really well and have seen us naked, or with no make up or in foul moods, they still love us. Luckily, most mothers love us unconditionally, most of the time! I think most fathers love us unconditionally most of the time as well. And some really good friends.
Think about what would happen if we loved our partners / children the same way we loved our pets! Maybe they would lower our triglycerides and cholesterol too!
Which makes me think about how we think it's OK to play with pets. You know, mature grown ups rolling about the floor and laughing; speaking in cutesy, baby language; telling the pet our deepest secrets (cos it can't talk - to others anyway). Maybe that's one of the reasons they are so good for our wellness.
Do you mix with humans who play too? Or are you surrounded by intense, serious, deep folks who stopped playing when they were six? Go find some people who wanna learn how to play again - or never forgot in the first place. And then have loads of fun and laugh squillions.
And then of course, it's OK to touch animals. Pet them, stroke them , cuddle them, sit next to them, keep them on your lap. And we know that touching is really great for the immune system. Do you feel more comfortable touching your pet and being openly affectionate than to the humans with which you live? Try being affectionate in the same way to the humans and see how they respond. Probably as affectionately - or more than the dog!
Maybe pets should be compulsory. Medical funds might reimburse us for their cost. Oops, what about those who are allergic to animals? I believe plants that you care about and nurture and tend to may have similar effects to pets. Although plants aren't known for their playfulness.
And if you don't want a pet or a plant, maybe you could think about giving a human in your life unconditional love; touching them a lot; being really affectionate and cuddling them; talking to them about your secrets; playing with them; encouraging them to sit on your lap; and accepting them for what they are. I wonder if that would make the numan as pleased to see you as the dog?!
