power of pets, The

Southern Living, Jan 2003 by Young, Dianne

The presence of a loving animal can change your life for the better.

Sometimes life's best lessons are the product of sheer happenstance. For instance, I didn't set out to own a dog, and I certainly never intended to have two of them. That's my current situation, though, and I've discovered that sharing my home with two animal friends is one of the happiest-and healthiest-things I've ever done. Caring for them required changes in my routine, but all have been positive.

Early To Rise

Prior to Jessie, a yellow Lab, and Dude, a Chow Chow, my mornings moved at a sluggish pace. Not so any more. Their internal alarm clocks are precise and unfailing. They rouse me daily for a pre-breakfast walk that I've come to love as much as they do. I not only prize the exercise, but I also take the time to savor the mornings. (For suggestions on walking as exercise, see our story on page 64.)

The same thing applies in the afternoon. When I get home from work, we head out together again. Jessie and Dude investigate any changes along our familiar route as I unwind from a day on the job. Another plus: Thanks to these daily outings, I've gotten to know my neighbors far better and discovered some new things we have in common.

Unseen Advantages

There are shelves full of books and reams of research papers about the remarkable contributions that pets can make to our lives. Today, a wide range of animals-from horses to fish-- participate in hospital and therapy programs to relieve stress and stimulate recuperation. They are used to treat autistic children and victims of heart attacks and strokes. They guide the blind and aid the disabled-both physically and psychologically. They ease the way for troubled youngsters and brighten the days of elderly men and women suffering from isolation, depression, or chronic pain. Science documents that the mere act of petting a dog or a cat can reduce blood pressure and lower pulse rates.

Such facts aside, I know every time I open the door to wagging tails and excited barking, I feel tension drain away. Jessie and Dude make me smile and feel utterly blessed. That's a gift like none other. The positive effects of pet ownership are not limited to dogs and cats. Plenty of people derive the same benefits from birds, rabbits, aquarium fish, and other critters.

To learn more about the perks of owning a pet, read The Healing Power of Pets by Dr. Marty Becker with Danelle Morton (Hyperion Press,

DIANNE YOUNG