CREATURE COMFORT

Back in the ‘80’s, I remember reading moving stories of how animals were being introduced into hospitals and retirement homes.  The book was called ‘Creature Comfort’ – I don’t remember the author.  It has disappeared from our bookshelves, which is sad as I would’ve liked to read it again now that the idea is being more widely accepted. I can find no reference to it online.

ANIMALS ARE REALLY GOOD FOR US

The stars of the books, so to speak, were the Chelsea Pensioners who were visited by carefully vetted dog owners and their dogs.  It was a very popular idea.  More recently, The Royal Hospital, home to the Pensioners, has teamed up with Battersea Dogs and Cats home with visits to the facility as well as schemes for pensioners to walk some of the dogs.

I think it’s a wonderful combination.  Most of us love animals and it’s now ‘scientifically proven’ that interaction with them is really good for us.   (It seems that, these days, everything has to be ‘scientifically proven’.)  Here are some of the benefits of animal company, particularly for older people:

• Seniors with heart conditions who own pets tend to outlive those who don’t
• Walking a dog provides regular physical exercise
• Petting and stroking animals can result in lower blood pressure, normal heart rate and reduced stress.
• Caring for a pet can provide a way to feel useful and responsible for another living being
• Dogs, in particular, listen without judgment and give unbiased affection and cats purr – what a wonderful sound that is

Even those who can’t manage an energetic animal can adopt an elderly one who will, quite naturally, be grateful for the chance to live out his or her life in comfort and surrounded by love.

A LOVELY OLD BOY

Between us, Leaf and I have had quite few furry family members.  But now that we’re both over seventy, we have to think carefully about what might happen to them if anything were to happen to us.  In our case, Monty the dog is two and could live to fifteen at least, by which time I will be ninety!  I’m assuming I’ll make it of course. Baby the cat is six and could make another ten or twelve years.  Pepe is thirteen, so there’s a chance we’ll outlive him.  At least I hope to, after all, I have Leaf to look after too. How long Leaf has is impossible to tell.  He’s very healthy and AD can go on for a couple of decades.  He could reach his late eighties.  Anyway, we have plans for our animals in case of my or our mutual (sudden) demise.

I cannot stress more the importance of making provision for our pets should they outlive us.  I have seen lots of little videos online with a dog refusing to leave their guardian’s grave.  Or they turn up every day outside the hospital where they died.  Cats will travel hundreds of miles back to the place and people with whom they’ve spent the best years of their lives and find they’re no longer there.  It’s sobering as well as marvellous to think seriously about our pet’s devotion to us.  Even those who mistreat them can elicit affection, especially if the animal has never known another life. Leaf and I experience distress over cruelty to animals on an almost daily basis.  The evidence is all around us.  In rural farming and hunting areas, dogs and cats usually have a specific job and will be abandoned if they don’t perform well.  They’re seldom neutered.

WORN-OUT GREYHOUNDS RARELY GET THE CHANCE OF A GOOD RETIREMENT

Neutering is, of course, an essential for family pets, unless their guardians are prepared to take the responsibility of finding homes for an unknown quantity of kittens or puppies.  There are a multitude of reasons why some folk refuse to castrate or spay their animals:

1. they can’t afford it? Okay it’s pricey but it’s a one-off.  Maybe we shouldn’t have a pet if we can’t find the money for this operation
2. the animals won’t do their jobs as efficiently and will become couch potatoes! Not in our experience
3. we want them to have babies because we have new homes lined up for them – fair enough but ideally after that the dog or cat should be neutered
4. we want to breed and sell the babies. Here is not the place to express my opinion on this one
5. in the case of males, having their manhood removed will be traumatic for them. Ours didn’t seem to notice
6. in the case of females, they will miss the nurturing experience. I can’t comment on this either
7. it’s not what Nature intended. There are lots of things Nature probably didn’t intend and domesticating wild animals is likely to be one

HOW ANYONE COULD ‘DISPOSE’ OF THESE ADORABLE CREATURES IS BEYOND ME

For those to whom any of the above (except c or d) applies and who has therefore not had their pet neutered, what is likely to happen to the unwanted babies?  I don’t need to spell out the ways some are prepared to dispose of them.  And, it’s worth mentioning that, as with humans, the males can go off any old where and impregnate.  Will the guardian of that male take responsibility?  Of course not and anyway, it’s up to the female’s guardian to have her spayed if the resulting babies will be unwanted.

Whilst little can be done to persuade irresponsible, uncaring  guardians to do the right thing, what about an elderly person who does understand the need to neuter but can’t afford the exorbitant vets’ fees?  I believe there should be seniors’ rates, even help from the medical establishment.  After all, our pets are good for our health and we should, wherever practical, be encouraged to have a dog or cat.  As for transport to and from the vet, this is something a family member, friend or other caregiver could help with.

WAITING FOR A LIFT TO THE VET (POOR BABY)

As a word of warning.  Dementia patients living on their own will be unable to care for an animal once they’re past the initial stages.  They will forget to feed or feed too much (I’m in charge of feeding ours and the food is hidden away for this very reason!)  He or she may shut them in or out of a room or the house by mistake.  They will be unable to deal with animal sickness or clear up messes.   In the case of dogs, they may not be able to walk them and will need an outsider to give them regular exercise.  Considering all these problem areas, the best way for mid to late stage dementia sufferers to have contact with animals is for family, friends or carers to bring their own animal, as long as  it has the right temperament, to spend time with them.  In the case of someone who refuses to part with their beloved pet and this is totally understandable, the hands-on carers will need to come up with a solution that suits all concerned.  Not easy!

WITTY, IN BLACK, BECAME TOO MUCH FOR US

Finally, to those of us who are simply getting on a bit but are, for whatever reason, encountering difficulties looking after a pet, it may be time to find a new home for them.  We can always arrange to see them if we have chosen well.  Leaf and I have just this situation.  Our puppy Witty became too much for us and nearly killed one of next-door’s chickens.  We were utterly distraught but knew we had to have her adopted.  She is now living very happily with a lady who has become a lovely friend.  Whenever we go and visit them, Witty is delighted to see us.

So out of sorrow can came happiness.  And often it does, if we allow it to.