The Effects of Pet Ownership

     The effects of pet ownership are not just that of having a companion.  Owning pets has a positive effect on several aspects of life.  Those who own pets tend to have happier marriages.  Having ‘fur babies’ is a good way for couples to test the waters on how their spouse will deal with things such as responsibilities and illness.  Pets bring so much joy to a home and make for a glad heart.  Having pets is also very good for children; teaching the responsibility, love, compassion and unconditional acceptance.  Animals never judge, they only love unselfishly and unconditionally.  This gives children the self-esteem that is so critical for them.  Having pets also provides an excellent opportunity to address the realities of life and death and teach the children how to use coping skills for life events. 

     There are a large number of health effects as well.  People who own pets tend to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and improved heart health.  The odds of survival after a heart attack are increased when you have a pet.  In addition, having pets lowers depression associated with having a serious illness.  Not only do animals relieve depression, but they bring peace and calm anxieties.  This is a very important aspect of mental health care.  In elderly patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, the presence of a dog brings an immediate calm and tranquility to the chaos surrounding them.  Suddenly all of the noise from call lights and rushing nurses fades away as they are engaged in physical touch with the dog.  Their spirits can be seen lifting as if by a magic potion the dog holds within himself.  The unconditional love that the dog provides is priceless.  The dog doesn’t see their condition, their disabilities, or their status; the dog just loves them.  The same holds true in classrooms of children.  Once chaotic and loud, it has been proven that the classroom will calm immediately with the introduction of a dog into the room.  Because of this asset, dogs can be used to plan out creating an environment more productive to learning for school kids.  I can see where this would be especially beneficial to children that have ADHD because the dog gives them something to put their focus on.  The effects of pet ownership goes far beyond these few points that I have reviewed here.  The effects of pet ownership spiritually are limitless.  It is oftentimes felt by owners that God has sent the pet to them as an angel in disguise.  Anyone who has ever loved a cat or dog knows why.

(2010). The positive power of pet ownership. Retrieved from: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/04/14/positive-effects-of-owning-a-pet.aspx

     I recently read the article "My right to death with dignity at 29" by Brittany Maynard.  Brittany was a glioblastoma patient.  Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer.  She wrote an article on her personal choice to use medically assisted suicide drugs.  While I have the upmost compassion and respect for the scary situation that all brain cancer patients face, I have to ultimately disagree with her decision to end her own life.  Let me tell you why.
     There were several things that she said that I fundamentally disagree with.  First, she states that the Dr. gave her six months to live as a prognosis.  It is wrong to assume that the doctors can really know.  They told my father the same thing and he lived three and a half years!  He may have been the exception, possibly, but I can promise you one thing; no man knows the time nor place that God has predetermined on her life.  Next, she speaks about the side effects of treatment as if they are absolute.  And she says that her quality of life, as she knew it would be gone.  Those side effects are possibilities that they must disclose; they are not givens.  Pertaining to her quality of life- I am certainly glad that my father did not feel this way because though he did not have the same quality of life that he had during his healthy years, those three and a half years were some of the most treasured moments of our relationship that we would have missed.
     She said that there was no treatment that could save her life.  There are new things discovered and new cures coming out at a rapider pace than ever before.  On top of that, miracles can and do still happen globally! GOD has the plan for her life.  Just today the world has stood back in awe of how God has showed up and showed off for Lamar Odom.  After 72 hours in a coma, suffering several strokes, four major organs in failure, and no signs of consciousness...it indeed looked like a miracle would be the only thing that was left to happen to save him.  Today, he awoke, he spoke, and I believe God is going to do a mighty work in his life for His glory! 
     She also states that she probably would have suffered in hospice care for weeks or even months.  The problem with this thinking is that there has been much research into the death and dying process.  The body has a way of protecting itself by systematically shutting down.  More times than not the individual feels no pain or even awareness as they journey down the last week or two towards their final destination.  She said that she could self-ingest to end my dying process if it becomes unbearable, but no man has the right to override the will of the Most High sovereign God.     Lastly, she says, "Now, I'm able to move forward in my remaining days or weeks I have on this beautiful Earth, to seek joy and love and to spend time traveling to outdoor wonders of nature with those I love. And I know that I have a safety net."  She could have done this anyways.  Happiness is a choice.  It is a state of mind.  A personal relationship with Jesus Christ would have given her the peace and joy she was seeking.  
     It is possible that in the time period between when she took her life and when God had it planned, that He also had planned a Divine Intervention.  She could have been a witness to others of His grace and mercy during that time; but now we will never know.  We have her words left behind, with no knowledge as to how much of it would have turned out to be right.  We are left with a lot of questions and uncertainties.  I deeply sympathize with brain cancer patients and their families, but we are not God to determine His will or timing for our lives.

Maynard, B. (2014). My right to death with dignity at 29. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/