I’m thinking about my dog. Why? Having a dog brings an enduring friendship and an abiding contentment. This is worth more than the disgust of scooping his poop.
My faithful Minpin always looks forward to my turning the key and entering the house. He begins to sense my return before I reach the door. I hear his joy, his rapid breathing, his doggie conversation, and his tail that wags his entire little body.
He never stops his whole body and soul greeting until I sit down, give him a hug some touches and a kiss. He snuggles deeply into my arms and makes a sound of deep fulfillment.
I miss my dog. But thinking of him is easy in the present tense. I can feel his life in my mind. He lived a long life and I have not replaced him.
If you love pets and are now moving to another country your pet is a relocation essential, don’t leave it unless it is impossible. It’s like leaving your only child behind, could you do it? The unbridled love a pet gives can be the difference of settling in quickly or not. Why?
Moving ranks at the top of list with other life-changing events, death and divorce. Not pleasant company those two, death and divorce.
According to health experts, the body’s “pre-programmed” response to stress includes:
- increased blood pressure
- increased metabolism (e.g., faster heartbeat, faster respiration)
- decrease in protein synthesis, intestinal movement (digestion), immune and allergic response systems
- increased cholesterol and fatty acids in blood for energy production systems
- localized inflammation (redness, swelling, heat and pain)
- faster blood clotting
- increased production of blood sugar for energy
- increased stomach acids
Pets not only buffer the physiological impact of a stressful life event but also enhance you sense of well-being, dog owners in particular. Why?
Dog owners in comparison to owners of other pets spend more time with their pets and feel that their pets are more important to them. Dogs more than other pets provide their owners with companionship and an object of attachment.
Expats who have pets also have more opportunities to meet and interact with their neighbors. Pets give you social capital because they are associated with values of warmth and friendliness. This is another way pets exert their influence on cultural adjustment. They make you expat-friendly.
Sure do miss my dog. Thinking about getting one soon.
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01/11/2009 at 16:23
elizabeth eitt
I too had a recent resurrection experience with the pet of my life, Stray. Recently I saw him, or rather his embodied twin, run across the highway. Everything was set up for me to rescue this dog which I did only to find that he had an identification tag. I was glad to have the opportunity to find the owner who was so happy at the reunion yet I also felt a sense of enduring loss for a long,deep friendship with my faithful pal. I was elated to have just those few moments to go back in time feeling the security and connection to my beloved pet in the flesh once again. Rarely in life do we get the chance to relive a relationship that has passed in time. For a brief moment, Stray was reborn and I still think of the synchronicities that brought me to that present moment and feel the blessing.
To all of the animals in our lives who serve us faithfully without judgement and with a loyalty that is unwavering.
02/11/2009 at 02:08
Liz
Awwwwww … I too miss Magnum and the rest of our precious little pets who have passed on. Oh the special feeling you gather from such unbiased and totally devoted creatures of God. I feel truly blessed to have grown up around animals … they have always been and always will hold a special place in my heart. They also make excellent BFFs! LOL!