Windsor, my companion and friend for many years, always made it his mission in life to assist senior dogs to find new homes. He rehabilitated a dozen or more older dogs with issues and assisted in finding a great home for each of them.
One of the last things he did was to find the following reasons why senior dogs make especially good pets for Seniors. He never managed to write about it and to publish his opinion. He told me that this poster transcends the usual reasons given for adopting an old dog, such as being housebroken, not eating Gucci handbags and shoes, etc.
As one of the many memorials Windsor deserves, I am publishing here without further comment the text of a poster he found in an animal shelter of the City of Los Angeles.
According to the City of Los Angeles, Animal Services, these are ten reasons senior dogs make the best pets for Senior humans.
"10 Health Reasons Why Pets Are Great For Seniors
1. Pets Lower Blood Pressure. A study of health patients showed that people over 40 who own pets had lower blood pressure than people who did not have pets. Another study showed that talking to pets decreases blood pressure.
2. Fewer Trips to the Doctor. Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. In a study of 1,000 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owner/guardians in the study had 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog owner/guardians.
3. Less Depression. Studies show that seniors with pets do not become depressed as often as those without pets.
4. Easier to Make Friends. Seniors with pets meet more people and like to talk about their pets.
5. Seniors Become More Active. Seniors with pets go for more walks and are generally more active than those without pets.
6. Pets are Friends. Most everyone, but especially seniors, will say that pets are their friends.
7. Pets Ease Loss. Older people who suffer the loss of a spouse and own a pet are less likely to experience deterioration in health following that stressful event.
8. Pets Fight Loneliness. You are less likely to be lonely with a canine or feline friend around.
9. Taking Better Care of Themselves. Seniors take good care of their pets and better care of themselves when they own a pet.
10. Sense of Security. Pets help seniors to feel that someone they trust is always around."
City of Los Angeles, Animal Services, unknown author.
Bless the heart and soul of anyone who gives a senior dog the dignity of a warm and secure home in old age.
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