Owning a Dog Can Add 10 Years to Your Life

Farmas · Jan 7, 2020

vanzandt said:
They are great great dogs, but they definitely need space and something to do. Running with her is great, but when you get home ready to drop... she's just getting warmed up.

They are by far and away one of the naturally smartest breeds, but they need a job or they will find something to do, and that something may be something that's somewhat undesirable to you lol.

I had one for a bit, great bloodlines, great breeder... but after a couple weeks I knew where we were living at the time wasn't right for him and we took him back to the breeder (who had an actual farm). I ate what we paid, but it was the right thing to do. But if you've got a place where she can run and you don't have to worry about cars and stuff.... if you work with her (lots of treats)... she will learn tricks and go airborne for a frisbee like no other. Good luck. Post a pic.
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Thank you for sharing your experience.

mlawson71 · Jan 7, 2020

Ever since our dog passed away I haven't had the heart to try and get another. We got a cat for now.

RainMaker3000 · Jan 7, 2020

vanzandt said:
http://www.pet360.com/dog/lifestyle...ur-life/aCxsmvkVl0GdtplsxTBdVQ?intcid=LINKART

The health benefits of pet ownership have been well documented. Dogs and cats can help relieve stress and anxiety, keep you fit, and provide emotional support. But it also looks like owning a dog can help slow down the aging process and keep you physically fit into your golden years.

According to the Free Press Journal, a new study from researchers at the University of St Andrews in Scotland shows that dog owners over the age of 65 acted and felt 10 years younger than their non-dog-owning counterparts.

Dr Zhiqiang Feng monitored 547 elderly people with an average age of 79 living in Tayside, Scotland. Within the group, 9 percent—approximately 50 people—were dog owners. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer for seven days to track and monitor their movements and levels of activity.

Results showed that dog owners recorded activity levels of people 10 years younger than them, and the pet parents were 12 percent more active than those participants that did not own dogs.

The dog owners in the study got more exercise by walking with their dogs and playing with their pets. The length of walking did not make any difference on the positive effects. The participants with dogs also showed much lower levels of anxiety and depression.

“Our results suggest that dog ownership may motivate personal activity and enable older people to overcome many potential barriers such as lack of social support, inclement weather and concerns over personal safety,” Feng told reporters.

And while sharing your life with a canine companion may not exactly be the key to the Fountain of Youth, the significant health benefits shown in this study are just additional reasons why life with dogs is the best.
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It can also subtract 30 years , it's a gamble

elderado · Jan 7, 2020

mlawson71 said:
Ever since our dog passed away I haven't had the heart to try and get another. We got a cat for now.
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It took me a full two years, and I had two other dogs at the time. It's crazy how much we can love them!!!

mlawson71 · Jan 8, 2020

I admire the people who can get another dog, I just cannot picture myself with one again.

vanzandt · Jan 9, 2020

mlawson71 said:
I admire the people who can get another dog, I just cannot picture myself with one again.
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Somewhere out there is a grown, loving, potty-trained mutt... that is just dying to move in with you and be a forever friend. One that needs you.
The cat can just gtf over it.

RRY16 · Jan 9, 2020

The San Francisco 49ers have the NFL's first emotional support dog, and we are living for photos of the tiny pup with giant players
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.in...-49ers-emotional-support-dog-nfl-first-2019-8

mlawson71 · Jan 10, 2020

vanzandt said:
Somewhere out there is a grown, loving, potty-trained mutt... that is just dying to move in with you and be a forever friend. One that needs you.
The cat can just gtf over it.
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Hahahaha, you don't know my cat. She's a total loon.

Banjo · Jan 10, 2020

Dogs help save koalas in Australian wildfires
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/dogs-help-save-koalas-in-australia-wildfires

mlawson71 · Jan 11, 2020

These wildfires killed 20 people so far and apparently 1 billion animals. The tragedy is immeasurable.