Pet Therapy

My husband needed a CAT scan a few days ago, I suggested it would be less expensive if we just had our own cat do it. She is about two years old, and adorable. She is a constant source of joy and entertainment. She is our only child still living at home, and my husband and I sometimes wonder what we used to talk about before we got her.
Pets are very therapeutic. Anyone who has one knows this, and studies have confirmed it. Many hospitals and nursing homes have pet therapy, where an animal, most often a dog, is brought in and taken room to room to visit with the patients/residents. Blood pressure decreases when petting an animal, and people often socialize more when an animal is involved. Even Sigmund Freud used to sometimes have his dog present for psychotherapy sessions. He found that children and adolescents would relax and confide more with his dog in the room.
Having chronic pain or illness can cause feelings of isolation if the person is not able to get out and be involved with community/family activities. Having a pet can decrease these feelings, because of the companionship they provide. Having an animal in the house forces a person to get up out of bed in order to care for it, increasing activity. This is especially true of a dog, who needs to be walked several times each day. A cat needs less, just food, water and a clean litter box, but they can be great companions. My cat likes to lie on the leg area of my recliner where I like to sit, either between my knees, or against my leg. Even if we are not interacting, we each know the other is there. Even a fish, though not very cuddly, provides another living being in the home, and someone to care for. Having someone to care for, someone who is counting on you and trusting you is important. It gives a person purpose, a reason to start the day.
The best part, in my opinion, is the love. Animals are less judgmental than people. They love unconditionally, Studies have shown that people who have pets live longer than those who don't. If you don't have a pet, think about getting one. If you live someplace that does not allow pets, they may allow small animals, such as fish or hamsters. Another option is to adopt someone else's. Maybe you have a friend or relative with a pet you can become 'aunt' or 'uncle' to.
Having a pet changes life for the better. Interact with your pet. Talk, play, enjoy
 

A Kitten Of My Own

I am sitting on the couch in the living room.  Sleeping right next to me is a kitten.  Her name is Camille, short for chameleon.  The people we adopted her from had been calling her Snow.  I decided to rename her because her previously white fur has been changing color.  She has a dark tail and dark ears, and blotches of light tan, more now than when we first met her a week ago. 

We were on a walk last week, and stopped to chat with neighbors ‘up the road a piece’.  A cat wandered by, and they told us they had 4 cats, plus a kitten they had cleaned up and nursed back to health.  They were looking for a good home for her.  I turned to my husband and said “I want a kitty.” (Not the first time I have said this, but it was the first time he responded that we could talk about it.)  14 years ago, when we got married, I felt it was quite unfair that he got to keep both his sons, and I had to give away my daughter.  My husband and both his sons were allergic to cats.  (As you have probably figured out, his sons are human, my daughter was feline.)  Both kids are primarily out of our home now, one in college, the other in grad school. 

Last week they said the kitten was about 4 months old, this week when we picked her up they said they got her about 4-5 weeks ago, and she was about a month old then.  It has been many years since I had a cat, so I am not very good at estimating her age.  During the week before we got her, I searched online, trying to figure out what kind of cat she is.  She has blue eyes (common for kittens, less common for adult cats).  As I said above, she is changing colors.  I just learned that Siamese and Persian cats are born white, and get their color as they grow, sometimes changing for up to 5 years.  Camille has short hair, does not have a typically Siamese face, but apparently she has some Siamese in her, hence the color changing.  I am going to take her to the vet this week, to make sure she is healthy, get her vaccines, and see if they can tell me how old she is, and if she, indeed, has Siamese in her. 

Back in May, when we were visiting our oldest son in Boston, I wrote about the benefits of owning a pet, or having access to a pet to play with.  Now I get to enjoy a pet of my own.  Camille took to our cabin quite readily, and also to us, rubbing herself against us, climbing on us, and purring.  She took longer to come out of hiding when we got to our apartment Monday night, likely because she was scared during the 1 ½ hour drive from the cabin to the apartment.  Once she came out of hiding, she explored for awhile, and then settled in. She will be travelling back and forth between our apartment and cabin.  I got the same litter box, food dishes, etc. for both homes, which should ease her transition back and forth.     

I am really enjoying having my own kitty.  Petting her is calming, and my pain fades into the background when she is snuggled next to me, purring.  Having someone dependent on you for their basic needs helps get the focus off of you.  It reminds you that your pain is not the center of the universe as it sometimes seems to be.  If you don’t have a pet of your own, consider getting one, or see if you can ‘borrow’ one on occasion to give you some ‘pet therapy’.  I think it is a purr-fect idea. 

Pets are Therapeutic

I love cats.  I have had cats most of my life, until I got married.  I sometimes joke that when I got married, it wasn't fair that I had to give my only daughter away, while my husband got to keep both his sons.  The difference was that my daughter was feline, his sons are humanoid.  I love my stepsons, but they don't sit in my lap and purr when I pet them.

An article in Answers.com states: 'Studies have shown that physical contact with a pet can lower high blood pressure, and improve survival rates for heart attack victims. There is also evidence that petting an animal can cause endorphins to be released. Endorphins are chemicals in the body that suppress the pain response. These are benefits that can be enjoyed from pet ownership, as well as from visiting therapeutic animals.'  People who live alone can feel lonely and isolated, especially if they are ill.  Having a pet not only gives them company, but also having someone to take care of and be responsible for can give them a reason to live.

Even without the support of these studies, I know that I cheer up at the mere sighting of a cat, and I will go out of my way for the chance to pet one.  We are visiting my oldest stepson, whose roommate has a cat.  This cat likes to be played with on her own terms, and will turn and bite when she has had enough or if you touch her wrong.  For the most part, we get along well, and she comes running to me to be petted as much as I run to her to pet her. 

When  I pet a cat, I feel happy, calmer, and if they are purring, I feel like I am purring, too.  I know there are people who prefer dogs to cats, I don't want to get into a discussion of which is better.  Having a dog or a cat, or another animal can provide similar benefits, so chose whichever you prefer. The bottom line is, having a furry companion can help you feel better and live healthier.  If you don't have one or want one of your own, borrow someone else's when you can.