Pets Are Best

“It’s difficult to understand why people don’t realize that pets are gifts to mankind.”

– Linda Blair, Actress

Hello.

My name is Griffin Raincloud Lick-a-paw Karabin. The kids call me Goo Goo. I am the cat. I am grey and black and cutest.

I helping Keith write article today on Pets for Street Level Wellness because I am the expurrt. I am the cat.

You are not expurrt. Or cutest. I am cutest. Give me typing. fxdglh,lk943 —

“Meow!”

…

That was Firestar. She is other, lesser cat. I am the cat. Firestar had turn on internet in this article. This one is mine.

Mine…mine…mine…see? I rubbed my cheek all over it. Go roll in the sun, Firestar.

Keith used to hate cats before me. He said other cats of Suzanne changed his mind first, but I know the truth; it was me. His daughter loves me best and carries me around. Her friends, too. They pet me and scratch me under the chin. I let them because I know it is impossible not to touch us. Science says so.

“Rhythmic petting or grooming can be comforting to your dog or cat, and you. Concentrate on the texture of his soft fur, the warmth he radiates, and his deep breaths. When you connect with your pet, oxytocin, the hormone related to stress and anxiety relief, is released, helping to reduce blood pressure and lower cortisol levels” (Hark, 2013).

See science.

Science has doctors. This Azadeh Aalai, Ph.D. is the smartest doctor of all. She says “any pet owner can attest to the myriad of benefits that come with ownership” (2015). She is smart because she is doctor. She is smartest because she is pet owner.

Science also talks about dogs as pets. Dogs are fun for chasing, teasing, playing with and making bark. Maybe this is why people like them? Some dogs are nice. We will let science talk about dogs today because this article is about how pets make people better just by being us. “It turns out that all pets, not just therapy pets, can help your mind, body, and spirit” because pets are best (Hark, 2013). Cats are best of best, just don’t tell dogs. Dogs are sensitive. But dogs are second best because….

Pets Are Best

“The great pleasure of a dog is that you make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, he will make a fool of himself too.”

– Samuel Butler, Author

Pet persons have more fun, are prettier, smell nicer and “exhibit greater benefits that non-owners on dimensions as far ranging as self-esteem, physical fitness, sociability, happiness, and overall health” because a pet in a life, in my cat opinion, makes balance, like a cat on four paws (Aalai, 2015).

Even better, having a pet makes you think like a pet. No more silly people-think! “What if this bad thing? Remember that bad thing?” Foolish! Think like a cat and be happy. “Being present and engaged with your pet takes your thoughts off of the issues that are plaguing you. When you are fully in the moment, you are not worrying about the past or the future. It’s just you and your pet.”

Having a pet even helps your weak people bodies! Okay, your thumbs are important, but the rest must just keep the thumbs alive. I do not know how non-pet people survive, or what they use their thumbs for without cans of food and toys to hold. “Studies have shown that animal owners, both adults and children, have lower blood pressure, as well as lower cholesterol and triglycerides…better circulation, and a lower risk of experiencing major cardiac issues.” We help your people-think and your people bodies, we pets are the best. Oh, someone brings up the people-sneezes that happen when cats come close? That shows you are the weaker animals. But we fix that for you, too. “This one may sound counterintuitive, but children who grow up in homes with furry friends are actually less likely to develop common allergies” or asthma (Hark, 2013).

Purpose vs. Stinky Food

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.”

– Bill Dana, Comedian

One thing, I must correct. This “pet owner” saying. What is this you owning us thing? Maybe you bring us food, toys, take us for walks, but this is because we are cuddly and best.

“Pets give you a purpose,” Dr. Aalai (2015) says smart things again. “Having a pet to care for can…be crucial when you are feeling really down and overwhelmed by negative thoughts. By caring for your pet, or another person or animal in need, you are focusing on something other than yourself and your life. Your good deeds, and your pet’s positive response, will give you a feeling of instant gratification.” We give you a purpose, you give us stinky food. Who owns who?

So you should have a pet. Or, truth-telling, let a pet have you. Go get one now, no-pet person. Feel better, live better, and think better. Use your thumbs and get a purpose. You don’t listen to me? Listen to the doctor:

“In a cultural landscape that is demanding and highly stressful, where we oftentimes feel our sense of worthiness being equated to how we look or what job we have or how much money we earn…pet ownership may be the last bastion of refuge and unconditional love that we can experience…” (Aalai, 2015).

She is right, but better still, just listen to the cat.

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Aalai A. (2015) Pet Ownership and Mental Health. PsychologyToday.com. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-first-impression/201508/pet-ownership-and-mental-health

Hark, D. (2013) 12 Ways Your Pet Can Improve Your Mental Health! Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle-hark/pet-ownership-health_b_3187960.html