Clarissa Pinkola Estés: Pets are heart medicine for humans

[Bluebear]

By Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Maybe your grandmother is like mine; they see the world with ‘other eyes.’

My grandmother would sometimes say upon seeing the glee in her little dog’s eyes when she returned home: Dogs are heart medicine for humans. Other times when her butter yellow canaries would sing and sing just because the sun rose, she would say, Birds are heart medicine for humans. But then, when her kitties would adorn various kitchen cupboards to help her cook by waving their tails like pendulums, she’d say Cats are heart medicine for humans.

I was thinking of this, because a friend who is so ill, has an oncologist who understands the grandmother/ grandfather wisdom… and lets patients lie in big green vinyl recliner chairs wearing their living kitty mufflers, kitty aprons, and kitty head warmers during IV chemo.

Blessed oncologist whose chemo rooms are like a menagerie. When I’ve been there for my own infusions… another story for another time, I have a recurring anemia… the most unusual thing is that the dogs lying against people’s legs or lying quietly in laps, and all the kitties are on a mission; no fighting goes on there, no scouting for mates, no being sidetracked. Each creature, fully present to their person. It must be so: Creatures are medicine for their humans.

We’ve got Mother’s Day, whether every mother is ‘good enough’ or not. Same, Father’s Day. But no Cat Day. No Dog Day. No Bird Day. Some of the very few creatures on earth who will try to uncritically stay with us no matter how weak, how strong, how strange, upset, preoccupied we act, no matter what....MORE:

http://themoderatevoice.com/entertainment/literature/15148/creatures-are-heart-medicine-for-humans/

[Vinca]

1. My kitties make bad times better and good times the best.

There's something very calming about stroking their fur and listening to them purr. I don't think I could live "catless."

[Bluebear]

2. (congrats on your DUzy!)

[Vinca]

5. Wow - I'm a star and I wasn't even aware of it!

The line for autographs forms to the left.:party:

Editing to congratulate Bluebear for multiple wins!:toast: To you, Bluebear, always fun to read.

[emilyg]

11. I have 6 and love them -

[silverweb]

3. This made me smile.

What a wonderful article!

Now I'm going to go offer homage to my three loving feline companions with some catnip, treats, and caresses... and then forward this article to everyone on my list.

Thank you for posting this! :)

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

4. "Medical studies show interaction with companion animals

lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety and otherwise improves one’s physical and mental health. In addition, research demonstrates many people who are emotionally “closed down” or unresponsive will often open up in remarkable ways when they are petting a cat or dog."

Pet Hug Fund for pet therapy
http://www.pethugfund.org/

[indepat]

9. Katie and Butterfinger wave their magic therapeutic wands throughout each day and evening

[xchrom]

6. recommend

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. Get thee to the Greatest Page

My wee pup is comfort, joy and tomfoolery all rolled into one.

The best things a heart can know ;)

:hi: :hug: :pals:

[astonamous]

8. This is great! Thank you for posting....

I was just at one of our adoption events and just like every other event, someone will say they can't have a dog because their landlord won't allow them. I always tell them to get a note from their doctor saying that they need a dog for their mental health.:-)

[VOX]

10. Cross-species love = a blotter for stress...

I underwent cancer treatment a few years ago, and my goofy cat was a superb stress and pain buster. He rarely left my side during the recovery period.

Cross-species affection is all the more poignant as he lost his left rear leg as a kitten (Trap? Animal bite?). A rescue group found him, and took him to their vet to determine the best course of action. The leg had turned gangrenous, so there was no choice in that regard.

Several years later, our tripod" cat still has a funny slow walk, bet he runs *fast*. And he makes the perfect sickbed companion.

[Raine]

12. Pets are WONDERFUL

my father has dementia and doesn't seem to know any of the family anymore, he seems lost in his own world. The dog is the only joy he has in his life and the only one who can make him smile anymore. I don't think he would even be here now but for the joy this little dog gives him. :-)

[Greylyn58]

13. After I've had a bad day, there is nothing better than coming

home to my Golden boy and his smiling face. Always so happy to see me, no matter what.

Animals are the best medicine for anything.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. I agree 100%.