![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
Hi Babblers,
Not sure if you've seen it, but here's a link to some recent research on pets and happiness. In an earlier thread, I'd asked about therapists who stare intensely, and the discussion turned to dogs and how they are wonderful for us. I'm not surprised by the direction the thread took -- this research suggests that sometimes our pets can be great co-therapists.
Can you see the bumper sticker: Dog Is My Cotherapist.
But enough nattering. The practical upshot: looking into your pet's eyes for a minute really boosts levels of oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone" that makes for secure attachment in babies (and, I would venture to add, the rest of us).
Off to snuggle my shepherd. Wishing you peace (and loads of puppy love),
BSD
Posted by no_rose_garden on February 20, 2009, at 1:13:03
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
(((Doggies))))
I wish I had one. I've been looking at emotional support animals. I don't know if I can do it though...so much time and moneys. I wish i had a doggy :(
Posted by seldomseen on February 20, 2009, at 7:00:35
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
Oh lord, then I must positively be one giant bag of oxytocin!
In fact, I talked with a CPA yesterday about my taxes (YIKES!) and she suggested that I treat my hoard of pets as a rescue business, incorporate, and deduct their food and vet care. I actually think she was partially serious.
Oh well, in any case, I wholeheartedly agree that sharing your life with animals is a good way to live.
Seldom
Posted by Dinah on February 20, 2009, at 7:54:26
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
I'd have never made it through middle school without my dog. And I can't imagine life without them.
I keep up running conversations with them through the day. It's amazing how interested they are in my thoughts and concerns. And nothing on earth feels better than stealing an extra five minutes under the blankie with my little cuddler. Which I think I'll go do right now. :)
Posted by backseatdriver on February 20, 2009, at 8:54:46
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » backseatdriver, posted by seldomseen on February 20, 2009, at 7:00:35
Seldom, I think that's a great idea. I'd guess you're also already investing serious time in training them for domestic life. If you can bear to part with your lovelies -- and I imagine this is the hardest part of a trainer's job -- you've got an income stream. (PLenty of people are willing to pay for house-trained dogs who know how to walk on a leash, for instance.)
Posted by backseatdriver on February 20, 2009, at 8:55:52
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness, posted by no_rose_garden on February 20, 2009, at 1:13:03
Pound puppies can be marvelous. A little messy at first, but all puppies are. And they love you, they really do.
Posted by backseatdriver on February 20, 2009, at 8:57:11
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » backseatdriver, posted by Dinah on February 20, 2009, at 7:54:26
Posted by wittgensteinz on February 20, 2009, at 10:32:46
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
Yes - this strikes close to home. Getting 2 dogs in the past year and a half (my first pets) has helped me enormously. In the beginning they literally gave back a meaning to my life (I hope that doesn't make me sound too much of a loser but it's true). They gave me a reason (an obligation) to get up in the morning and walk with them. Those 45 minutes in the cold each morning wake me up and get me going for the day.
They are the most wonderful listeners - they almost intuitively sense when I'm down and come and cheer me up. I also love to watch and laugh at their doggie antics. Caring for them is therapeutic - I happen to have dogs with long, thick coats so they require frequent grooming to keep them beautiful. This means lots of time quietly bonding with them and taking care of them.
I once took my eldest dog with me to therapy (it was a once off because we had painters working in the house, so I couldn't leave her at home). It was a fun but not so constructive session. I loved how he greeted her when we arrived - he was very affectionate to her - he bent down and gave her a cuddle. First I kept her on the lead but she was fidgety so I asked if I could let her roam free, which he didn't mind. So she explored his whole office, jumped up onto his analyst divan for a moment and stole tissues from his waste bin. I was a bit embarrassed about the tissues but he told me not to worry - later he wrote in a mail that he was glad he had seen her as she was different than he had imagined from my description. I doubt I will do this again but I felt quite proud to show her to him - she was about 7 months old at the time.
Have any of you ever had the opportunity to share about your pets with your therapist? Do you any of your therapists have pets in their practice? My ex-pdoc had a giant Schnauzer which I met one day in the hallway.
Sorry, I'm probably going a bit off track here.
Witti
Posted by lucie lu on February 20, 2009, at 13:40:57
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
Posted by backseatdriver on February 20, 2009, at 13:50:04
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » backseatdriver, posted by wittgensteinz on February 20, 2009, at 10:32:46
Hey Witti --
I'm glad you've had such great experiences with your dogs. I truly get the grooming and bonding experience -- mine's got a ton of hair too, and he's fun to groom.
Vicki Hearne, a poet and animal trainer, has written a wonderful book about the nature of the human-animal bond. It's called _Adam's Task_. I can't recommend it enough - my T, who is a dog person, actually recommended it to me!
My T has asked me to bring the dog in. I'm not sure I'm ready, but it is a nice thing to think about. I too would love to hear from other people if they've done the same.
Yours,
BSD
Posted by fayeroe on February 20, 2009, at 17:03:00
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » backseatdriver, posted by wittgensteinz on February 20, 2009, at 10:32:46
I shared my dog with my patients.
He was an exceptional aid for patients who were having issues that involved agoraphobia issues.( I had them walk him through the hospital and then outdoors.
They also knew that they had to get out of bed in order to spend time with him)He was responsible for a woman talking in group one day. She had not uttered a word in 8 months. "I think that Tippy needs to pee"
Posted by lucie lu on February 20, 2009, at 17:21:51
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness, posted by no_rose_garden on February 20, 2009, at 1:13:03
> (((Doggies))))
>
> I wish I had one. I've been looking at emotional support animals. I don't know if I can do it though...so much time and moneys. I wish i had a doggy :(NRG (can I call you Rose?),
There are alternatives to dogs and cats, other cuddly animals that are social and gregarious enough to be good companions (and good oxytocin stimulators). We have had most types of pets over the years (fish, reptiles, rabbits, various rodents, birds, dogs, even a horse). One of the best "cuddly" pets IMO is a rabbit. House rabbits (as opposed to those kept in hutches outside) can be interesting and loving companions. They are smart, funny, have real personalities, and can form strong bonds with their owners since they are social animals with needs to connect. They adapt as easily to cats do to litter trays. They are easy to keep and costs are relatively low. They are soft and cuddly and most love to be petted for as long as you will do it. I have also heard from many people that rats (specifically, not mice) are similarly smart, loyal, trainable, and affectionate, but we haven't had one yet.
I personally still like dogs the best, but sometimes it just isn't a realistic possibility given your means and lifestyle.
Talk about off-topic... I could go on for hours about animals... Please feel free to bmail me if you want to talk about rabbits or what else might work for you in terms of getting your oxytocin levels up :)
I used to want to be a vet. Can you tell?
Lucie
Posted by backseatdriver on February 20, 2009, at 18:14:28
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » no_rose_garden, posted by lucie lu on February 20, 2009, at 17:21:51
Seconding rabbits. I have a friend who swears by his.
Posted by Recently on February 20, 2009, at 19:11:36
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
I think maybe I need to get a puppy! Interesting post!
Posted by seldomseen on February 20, 2009, at 19:27:10
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 20, 2009, at 8:54:46
Well, I take all comers and have sheltered, fed and loved everything from mice to fish.
I can't have birds though, too many cats.
I would also like to give a shout out to the cats. Yes, they are generally more independent than dogs (yeah, tell that to the kitty sitting in my lap!), but they make me just as happy as my dog.
For a real kick, you should see my guinea pig running around in the kiddee pool I got for him to play in (there's no water, just hay, newspaper and fun!). It's absolutely the cutest, funniest thing I have ever seen.
However, on a per pound basis, the pig is by far the most expensive animal I have. He's got to have kibble, bedding, hay and fresh vegetables every day. *I* don't even get fresh veggies every day.
Seldom.
Posted by wittgensteinz on February 20, 2009, at 19:45:23
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » backseatdriver, posted by seldomseen on February 20, 2009, at 19:27:10
I assume you mean the guinea pig or do you also have a real pig?!
Some people really do keep house-pigs - I've heard they also make good companions ;)
Posted by wittgensteinz on February 20, 2009, at 19:54:13
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » wittgensteinz, posted by fayeroe on February 20, 2009, at 17:03:00
Thanks for sharing this - it's fascinating how beneficial animals (dogs) can be.
Freud had his chow-chow, Jofi, which was perhaps the first ever 'therapy dog' - there are quite a few interesting stories about this dog and its effect on his patients.
Witti
Posted by lucie lu on February 20, 2009, at 20:25:59
In reply to Re: Pets and happiness » seldomseen, posted by wittgensteinz on February 20, 2009, at 19:45:23
> I assume you mean the guinea pig or do you also have a real pig?!
>
> Some people really do keep house-pigs - I've heard they also make good companions ;)I have heard that Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs make great pets. Clean, smart,affectionate. After I saw Babe, I wanted one! Unfortunately they're still considered livestock under our town code :( I've always wanted a goat, myself.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on February 23, 2009, at 10:00:57
In reply to Pets and happiness, posted by backseatdriver on February 19, 2009, at 19:35:11
This is such a great thread!
I have 3 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and I love them sooooo much, and they return it many times over! They make me happy when I feel down. Sorry if I sound sappy but it is so true! these guys are just tailwaggers 24/7, living to please you (and eat, lol).
Also shout out to cats absolutely! I have two wonderful Birman (Sacred cat of Burma) cats, Teddy and Thunder, littermates whom we bred ourselves when we showed Birmans, and they are so very affectionate and loving. We have a large leather sectional sofa and many times there are me, my husband and 3 dogs and one or both cats on it at once in the evenings. I love them all to pieces, (yes my husband too!)
Abby
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.