Dogs deserve their glowing reputation. They’re loyal, playful, joyful, and fun to be around. They don’t care if you don’t do the dishes. They don’t care if you forget to pick up eggs from the grocery store. So long as you feed, pet, and take your dog on walks, your dog will love you. It’s as simple as that.
When you take a step back, a cosmic step back, and look at humans the way aliens would, it might strike you as strange that humans are such good friends with furry four-legged creatures who can’t speak English and are scared of vacuum cleaners and skateboards. But looks deceive. The bond between humans and dogs is strong.
Dogs are remarkably good at reading human body language. When, for instance, a dog’s owner projects feelings of calm and confidence, their dog may feel secure. When a dog’s owner projects feelings of fear, their dog may stand guard. More, dogs are talented at understanding intonation. They can register whether we’re happy or sad based on the way we speak.
So, if you’re retired, getting a dog may be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Here are three benefits of having a dog in your older years.
#1 Dogs Helps You Stay Active
As you get older, and your mobility declines, you may become less and less motivated to get outside and be active, especially if you live in colder cities like Ottawa. A 2019 British study showed that people who own dogs are almost four times more likely to be physically active than people who don’t. After all, when a dog looks at you with sad eyes, holding its leash in its mouth, how could you possibly say no?
Retirees living in seniors’ residences in cold cities like Ottawa may have an easier time staying active without help from dogs than retirees living alone. But all retirees can benefit greatly from spending time with dogs.
According to our research, some pet-friendly retirement homes in Ottawa allow their residents to own a dog, while others provide sessions with trained therapy dogs.
#2 Dogs Help You Feel Less Isolated
Retirees who live alone, rather than in retirement residencies, run the risk of feeling alone. Dogs help cure loneliness by providing constant companionship. Some dogs will follow you around wherever you go—the kitchen, the living room, even the bathroom. Other dogs will only follow you to the kitchen when it’s time to eat and to the front door when it’s time for a walk. Either way, dogs provide close company.
#3 Dogs Make You More Attractive
If you’re retired or about to retire, dating might not be on your mind, but if it is, consider getting a dog. According to some studies, men are more likely to get a woman’s phone number when women see them walking a dog.
There’s a reason dogs are considered man’s best friend. But what about man’s best wingman?
Read Also: 11 Things You Should Do So That You Do Not Lose Your Dog
