Letter to the Editor: Adopting a shelter dog provides many benefits

Dear Editor,

Dogs have better stats by far than cats; some informational organizations publish that 20% of our puppies/dogs in shelters are euthanized. This does not have to be this high.

Pets can and do play an important part in our lives if we will let them.

How fun it is when you come home from a day at the office and are weary and a smiling face and a wagging tail are at the door to greet you with slurpy kisses and “hug me” dad/mom?

An important note here before I go on:  Senior dogs are already trained; they, too, are loving, fun and funny; any attention they get goes a long, long way with them as they don’t dismiss you on the spot.

Our dogs help with stress/depression, anxiety, helping us enjoy exercising, mental states of mind that change every five minutes or less; they also help with blood pressure.

In some families a puppy/dog coming into a family will teach all of us about responsibilities of training (if needed), exercise (good for us, too), feeding, brushing, etc.  We can and should include them when we exercise. Take them outdoors if the weather is decent and play kickball, catch, etc. Physical exercise helps us mentally as well as helping us to stay alert and physically fit -- helps with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

There are many of us who feel we no longer have a purpose in life. Don’t tell a puppy, shelter pet or senior dog that. We have a lot of purpose in life and should live it to the fullest. Walking our pet gives us both needed physical exercise and release of pent up emotions. It also helps prevent heart disease. Need a lift up in life? Find that perfect shelter pet and get to living your lives to the fullest.

Adopt, don’t shop. It has been proven than breeder dogs don’t live as long as our “shelter” dogs, have personality problems as they age, etc. Not so much with a shelter pet. They are grateful to have mom and dad and a home together.

Barbara Anderson

Lovell