Best friends
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Apr. 6—ASHLAND — For those living with animals in their houses, every day is "pet day," but Thursday is National Pet Day, and area residents area crazy about their pets, who stick by them during good times and bad times.
"To many, we see pets as part of the family," Steve Tackett at Tri-State Counseling and Psychotherapy, said. "By playing with them, petting them and spending time with them, we have seen people report lower stress. They also provide companionship and comfort (and will listen without judgement; unless its a cat, then they may judge you), which lessens feelings of loneliness and isolation.
"Owning a pet, especially a dog, can also help with an increase in physical activity with is related to better overall health and mental health. So those walks and playing fetch can benefit both parties."
He also pets often enforce structure, which is good for mental health, and can lead to making more friends.
Leslie Price Stewart of Ashland is dog mom to Charles "Barkley," a 14-year-old Boston terrier.
"He is my first Boston and I cherish him. Sweetest boy ever," she said, adding he was a gift from one of her best friends. "He is a well-traveled dog. Has flown 20 times by plane. He's also been in a helicopter, kayak, a few boats. He's very smart, not hyper, loves people and animals. He only eats his dog food. He does not like dog treats or human food."
Most importantly, though, Barkley got Stewart through some of her roughest times.
"He was given to me at a time in my life when I lost both parents, was laid off from my job at KDMC and went through a nasty divorce," she said. "He was by my side and was much comfort to me. The last few years he has been with me 25/7."
Now, it's time for Stewart to return the favor. She recently learned Barkley has an enlarged heart and is retaining fluid. "My boy is showing signs of the end. My heart is broken," Stewart said.
Taking care of a pet at any age can provide life lessons, Tackett said, including responsibility, patience, how to handle difficult situations and having love another living creature.
"Compassion, empathy, communication and also just being mindful and present in the moment are other lessons and habits we can learn from owning a pet," he said. "Owning a pet is also about bonding and when we feel connected to another living being, our mental health is better, even if it has four legs ... or none in the case of a snake!"
Brooke Elswick-Robinson and her family understand the importance of pets. In addition to a cat named Grady and a guinea pig named Butterfinger, they have Cash, an 8-year-old Blue Heeler.
"He's just the best and loved by so many. Kids just love him," Elswick-Robinson said, noting Cash was the dog that could be adopted during the Reality Store at Ashland Middle School last year. "He's such a fan favorite."
She said her husband had one named Tex and they loved the breed. So do their children.
"Believe me, you will wear out before he does. He constantly has to be worked and challenged, and I can't imagine life without him," she said. "Reed and Carson just treat him like he's one of us and not the four-legged kind. He loves the voice commands they give him and protects them like it's his job. The connection they have together is something to be valued. We always have dogs in our lives!"
(606) 326-2661
(606) 326-2661
