‘Our first Golborne Health Blog comes from one of our specialist Diabetes nurses, Tom Buckley, and includes his positive experience of adopting a puppy. The article focuses on pets and the benefits they bring to our lives, in particular to our health and wellbeing.’
Getting a dog is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are many points to consider before welcoming a canine friend into your life, for their lifetime. Once you have made the decision the risks and rewards may far exceed your expectations, and completely alter the way in which you manage your life.
Let me introduce Mustard. He is a 1 year old Wirehair Dachshund, or for those of you not so familiar with dog breeds, a sausage dog. Mustard came into my life almost by accident. I had been considering the pros and cons of getting a dog with no particular urgency. Then I found myself imagining scenarios of dog ownership and mapping out walking routes where I would take my new pet.
The decision was not rushed. I have been around dogs all my life but have never been the sole owner of one. Given my living situation and commitments consideration had to be taken with regard the size, personality and adaptability of the breed. I needed to think about how long the dog would be left, who would check in when I was away at work, how much caring for a dog would cost and, something which usually slips a lot of individuals minds, where I would start with the training.
I had been contacting various rescue centres, after realising I was fond of the Dachshund breed, and eventually received a call to inform me that a 5-month old Dachshund puppy needed a forever home. In excitement and without hesitation, I accepted and several train and tube journeys later I was the proud, responsible owner of a puppy who gazed up at me with his ‘butter wouldn’t melt eyes’. It was only then that I truly realised I needed to take every ounce of care for him.
Mustard came at a challenging time in my life but I put my energies into training him which, while not an easy process, was an effective distraction. Dachshund, which translates as ‘badger dog’, are a breed known for their bold personalities and stubbornness, and stubborn was certainly what I came up against. However, we got through it together.
Numerous research studies have documented the various health benefits of owning pets, and in particular dogs given their nature and compatibility with our lifestyles. An article published by Age UK indicates that:
Owning a pet can improve health and wellbeing in as little as a month, with pet owners reporting fewer minor ailments. Owning a pet can also alleviate depression and loneliness.
The Pet Health Council website states that:
Owning a pet, or even just interacting with animals, can have a positive and dramatic impact on health and wellbeing. This includes alleviating stress, lowering blood pressure, and reducing recovery time following a life-threatening illness.
In case of pets such as dogs ownership is likely to increase your levels of physical exercise and aid socialising.
An article published by BUPA confirms this and adds that:
‘Being around a dog may lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.’
According to additional research referenced for the article:
‘Physical activity is a proven mood booster, and walking in nature has also been shown to improve your sense of wellbeing.’
However, welcoming a canine into your life has other benefits too. Despite the many challenges I have faced, having a dog has increased my overall confidence and improved my outlook on life. I have made several new friends from the local park and have attended a local dog walking meet-up. I have also started exploring different parks in the local area. I now exceed my 10,000 steps a day target with ease, and do not think of the walking as an onerous task but an activity which can be enjoyed with my new companion.
I feel that dogs really are ‘man’s best friend’. In my experience owning a dog has the potential to promote wellbeing, increase physical exercise and build social relationships. It promotes calm, can bring families together, and provides a loyal and altruistic companion. Dogs are exceptional creatures that stand by your side during the rough times and share your joy during the good times.
It’s worth considering the benefits of having a dog or other animals in your life. Having Mustard has been the best investment of my time. He also brings a sense of purpose to life and has started me on an uplifting journey. I have made new friends, attended meet-ups, undertaken more exercise and generally feel more positive.
If you have a dog and are interested in meeting up with other dog owners you can find a list of 50 London Dog Meet-ups and Groups at The Dog Vine specific to dog breeds, activity levels or social groups such as single parents. They also have a dog events calendar listing a variety of events such as dog shows, dog therapy and training sessions, and dog-friendly outdoor cinema screenings. For specific ‘meet-ups’ rather than public events the associated Meetup site provides full location details, and you can search their database relevant to your geographical area.
‘If you have experienced the health and wellbeing benefits of owning a pet, we would love to hear from you and perhaps share your story with our readers. Please feel free to contact us. We are happy to provide anonymity if requested but would greatly value your input.’
