“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” 😺🐶🐎🐰🐀

Jasper: Thank you, Rachel. You can calm down now!

All you humans should let a cat live with you. We’re fantastic hunters, so we’re great for pest control. There’s nothing I like better than hunting down a mouse, toying with it, killing it and sometimes, even eating…. What, Rachel? I’m suppose to write about the HEALTH benefits of living with animals for humans? Even those big, smelly and noisy ones you call “dogs?” Pfft! Alright then.

Studies have shown that people who live with animals live a longer and healthier life then people who don’t.

Health benefits include:-

• Reduced blood pressure. In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog, had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations, then did people without animals.

• Reduced cholesterol levels. Heart attack patients who have allowed animals to live with them, survive longer than those who haven’t, according to several studies. They have less sign of heart disease – lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

• Reduced risk of allergies and asthma for children. Children growing up in households with furry animals, or on a farm, will have less risk of allergies and asthma.

• Improved mental health. Animals who live with humans, have a calming effect on them. Just by stroking, sitting next to or playing with your furry friends, can give you a chance to relax and calm your mind.

• Reduced loneliness. Walking a dog or just caring for an animal, for elderly people who are able, can provide companionship, as well as exercise.

Finally, us animals make you humans feel needed. (Well. I let Rachel think I need her!)

So. As a personal plea from me, please, if you can, consider allowing an animal to share your home. I believe there many of us who need somewhere to live and, I’ve just written an article with evidence-based research, describing the benefits you humans will get!

I’m off now to hunt.. I mean “play” outside, Rachel!

Sources webmd.com, newsinhealth.nih.gov, mentalhealth.org.uk, vetknowhow.co.uk, pethealthcouncil.co.uk Above quote, Anatole France.