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Originally Posted by KEVIN & JOSIE
I read this article and thought it would interest both cat owners and non cat owners.
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I lived on a dairy farm for a few years when I was a kid and had all kinds of animals: We had horses, cows, pigs, chickens, dogs and cats and I really enjoyed the experience.
As far as health and longevity, I'm sure it may be helpful to some people. For example, if someone feels lonely, a pet can help. But not all people who live alone feel lonely. If someone has a dog, walking the dog gives them exercise, so of course they will be healthier. But you don't need a pet to get your exercise.
I have nothing against pet ownership and even enjoy seeing people with their pets. But I don't believe owning a pet is a cure-all for everything.
Here's just one of many stories: Many decades ago, I had a summer job working for a multi millionaire. He was a factory owner but I worked on the yard where he lived. His home was beautiful....he had everything including a Rolls Royce and a Mercedes.
The problem: He was overweight and had an overweight dog. He gave his housekeeper instructions to cook hamburger for his dog every day. You know how they say that dogs and their owners look alike? Well, they certainly did. They were both very plump, to put it nicely.
He was only about 57 years old and I was surprised to read in the newspaper that he died of a heart attack. This was a few months after working for him that summer.
Where was the heart protection he was supposed to get from owning a dog?
Here's another quick story: A woman on my street in The Villages took her own life. While walking, I saw a lot of newspapers adding up in her driveway. So I put them on her lanai and rang the doorbell. When I rang the doorbell, a lot of dogs began barking. That's when I called for help. The police came and found that she had shot herself. She had three dogs!
The bottom line is: Don't count on pets to save the day. There's no substitute for eating a healthy diet and exercising. And learn stress control, with or without a pet.