It’s not just financial well being that’s important in your retirement. There are many aspects that combine to provide a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.
One thing that has been playing on my mind recently is that research shows that people who own pets live longer. So, whilst I read extensively about health and diet, which is also vitally important, maybe I should also acknowledge that our dogs are doing just as much for me as Dr Gundry’s Diet!!! (More on that in another post!)
My wife adores her dogs. I tease her that she loves them more than me. But I have to admit that when they are not here to welcome me home the house seems like a very lonely place. I can’t imagine life without them so if they are also helping me to live longer it’s a win-win situation.
A good friend of ours writes a blog about dogs and I’ve asked her to write a guest blog for The Retirement Team. So, sit back and enjoy an insight into dog ownership by Jane Parry.
If you enjoy Jane’s blog you can read more about her exploits at Daily Tail.
Creature Comforts
As my friends and I battled against strong winds and incessant driving rain to walk our dogs at the weekend high up in the beautiful Cotswolds, I had to question my sanity!! I mean really!! We were all soaked to the skin as when we left home the drizzle that greeted us was insignificant but within minutes of arriving at the start point it was pouring, so we had foregone the sensible waterproofs!!!
Oh well nothing ventured and all that, so off we set like some intrepid fools head first into said deluge and all for what? Well to exercise our Canine companions of course!! To see them having fun running all over the hill and thoroughly enjoying themselves!! To witness their complete joy at being free, untethered by leads, completely unencumbered by anything!! Their sole aim in life at that moment was to have fun and enjoy themselves!!
I wonder how many of us humans can say we do the same? How often do we feel confident enough to rush up to new people and introduce ourselves regardless of status, creed, colour and age? Dogs don’t care who you are or what you look like, they just generally want to meet and greet. It’s very unusual for me to walk my dogs on a daily basis and not bump into another dog owner and stop for a conversation.
I have friends I have met solely through dog walking. I would never have met them if I hadn’t been out and about with the dogs. There is something of a community feeling to dog ownership. We have a common love of our 4 legged friends and we are not afraid to tell people!!! We talk to each other, share our worries (not all dog related), congratulate others on triumphs and sympathise with them when times are hard. Surely that must benefit us?
In fact research has shown that dog ownership can help with so many day to day medical issues. Having Rover in your life lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol. Stress levels can be greatly reduced by having your faithful friend greet you when you get home. The ecstasy you see in them when you have been separated even just for a few hours is incredible!! Who else would throw themselves on you as if their life depended on it?? Dogs don’t have moods, they just love you with all their hearts and in return you love them.
Dogs have even been known to detect early signs of cancer, seizures and hypoglycemia in their owners. I mean how amazing is that?? I don’t know how they do it, maybe it’s something different in how we smell but lives have certainly been saved and I think that is mind blowing!!
At the end of the day though a dog brings so much joy to our lives, from their wagging tails to their soulful puppy dog eyes when trying to wheedle a treat out of us!! Who can say no to the paw on the knee and the head tilted on one side?? After a trying day at work or a row with your partner or a touch of road rage on the drive home, you open the door to your most faithful and loyal friend thrilled to see you and you know everything will be alright!! As soon as you sit down and stroke your dog and fight off the licks because yes you love them but their breath is not the best, you relax and start to unwind safe in the knowledge your dog will love you forever. Unconditionally. And that’s a great feeling!
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