Imagine the world upside down. Pretty easy the last two years. You're experiencing things you never expected to encounter… and you need to manage stress.
Did you know women are more prone to depression than men are? Losing jobs, fear of losing a home, or the worst…losing a loved one to the coronavirus are REAL potentials.
For many…those fears have become realities.
What you may not know…
Your furry buddy!
Doctors have known for years that canine visits helped those who were hospitalized. They bring smiles.
Their snuggles do even more. Touching a dog is magical. The outside of a dog, caressing that lovely fur triggers brain reactions. It’s like eating chocolate…it triggers a feel-good response.
Ever noticed that if you, or one of the family, don’t feel well physically or emotionally the dog hangs out a little closer. They share their empathy. It radiates from them to us. It slows breathing and calms your heart rate.
They may have their personality quirks, but they offer complete and total adoration, trust, and belief in you. They can’t conceive of betraying you.
I read recently about how they are now letting good citizen dogs lay next to a child receiving chemo treatments. It distracts the child, it calms them. Of course, dogs love that bit of attention too.
There’s a really great book by Jon Franklin, The Wolf in the Parlor that explains the brain connection you share with dogs. I found them used on Amazon. It’s a great read.
So when we’re stuck at home do something nice for your fur baby. Here are four quick, easy ideas.
My Havanese doesn’t get that walks should be for exercise. He thinks they are for sniffing their way along.
While your dog leads the walk, tune in to your surroundings and look, listen and even feel nature around you that is so easy to miss when we walk OUR way.
2. Give them a good brush. It will keep them cleaner and tidy if you can’t get them in for a normal grooming regime. It also gets your hands in the healing fur.
3. Bake them some treats. Even better if you have kids at home. It can be a group kitchen activity. Your dog won’t care if they don’t look perfect.
4. Schedule cuddle time. My “Tigger” knows that each evening at about eight, my husband and I settle on the couch to watch a Netflix show. He heads right up to share my seat with me.
He soaks up attention, lets me pet his soft velvet coat… and we all destress. How do you like to destress with your fur baby?
Judith Culp Pearson receives three top honors
at the annual Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals in
Ft. Worth, Texas - October 7-9, 2023
