One study finds that participants who either had their pets with them or only imagined their pet were able to generate more life goals and have more confidence in their ability to achieve these goals than pet-less participants.

This is Rafael Leonardo. I have been wanting to introduce you to him for years. And now I can.

It seemed unprofessional before to write about my dog. But now, with everything we are learning about the impact of pets on well-being, seems important to at least mention.

Studies show pets bring kids higher self-esteem, cognitive development, social skills, and that pet owners, in general, are happier and healthier in life. Pets bring higher quality of life, and less anxiety and depression for seniors too.

And with so many people wondering where their motivation has gone—for some, it’s hard to even find a goal let alone achieve it—if pets are good for goals and just about everything else, hey, why not get a pet?

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports:

And if you happen to be one of the households owning a dog—don’t imagine this will work as well with Cats, Birds, Horses—try looking longingly into each other’s eyes.

Rafito and I do that. He starts actually. The staring. Which is a lucky thing for us, since not all dogs are into it like he is, and studies show that long eye gazing increases oxytocin for dog and dog owner alike, nourishing neural connections associated with regulating fear, stress, social skills, love, empathy, bonding…

After reading this really terrific new issue of Psychology Today, June 2021, where I got a lot of this stuff on pets, I am seriously considering that Rafito might be why my blood pressure is so low that I am now off the BP medication I used to be on.

God love him, I know I do, and cannot recommend pet owning more highly for any non-pet owners wanting to give it a try. Whether you do or you don’t, would love to hear what you think…

Warm wishes,

Madelaine