Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
I am seeing posts on my Facebook page about animals, living at local area shelters, that are in need of a forever home. This is especially true for the senior kitties and dogs because people gravitate to the cute kittens and puppies — which will always remain cute but will be babies for a very short time. It is harder for older animals to be adopted.
I have always been an advocate for the combination of seniors and older animals. It’s just a good match. And research shows that having pets definitely increases the quality of life and emotional health of seniors. In fact, simply petting an animal can reduce stress, anxiety, lower the heart rate and blood pressure, not to mention the fact that having a companion around to talk to makes you feel good. This is why pets are brought into assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Pets can bring new purpose to seniors’ lives, while fostering a sense of well-being and helping them remain active and stay healthy.
I confess, I melt when one of my cats meows at me or blinks at me (a sign of love, I’m told). All the tensions of the world can be drowned out by the purr of a contented cat. It makes everything seem right. And waking up with a paw in the face is a good way to start the day. And while annoying, I laugh every time my 15-pound pup, Duffy, stands on his hind feet and barks at the mail carrier.
Not long ago, I talked to an older woman who said she had a new lease on life because of her rescued little dog. She was so happy and bubbled over with pride at the sound of his name. I can relate. My rescued boys have been with me for seven years.
First came the kittens from a bad situation, then a couple of months later we added a little
white dog to the mix who was in desperate need of a loving family. Living with what some people now refer to as “fur babies” can change your life.
If you are a dog lover and thinking about a canine companion, consider breed and age when choosing one. Talk to the staff at the shelter about your needs and lifestyle. If you are unsteady on your feet or unable to walk any distance, you may not want a young, large dog that has lots of energy.
Older dogs that would love to sit on the couch and go for a stroll might be the perfect companion. Think about weather and getting the pooch out to do its business when it is snowing or icy.
Now, while it’s medically documented that companion animals help people live longer and healthier lives, it’s important to make arrangements for the animal should you become incapacitated and are no longer be able to care for it. Inform relatives and friends of your wishes regarding the animal.
Also, when you are considering a pet for an elderly loved one, make sure the senior is of the same mind and really wants a pet. While a surprise party may be fun, a surprise pet is not. It is unfair to the senior and to the animal.
So, if you are looking for a new little friend or you’d like to help out with a wish list donation, give your local shelter a call. Many are overrun with homeless animals, and would love to have your support. Let’s face it — a house without an animal is just, well, a house. Adopt a pet and make your house a home.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns a public relations firm in
Bangor. Email her at 4chtaylor@gmail.com.