Love and Comfort to the End

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Christine Antles

A report from the American Veterinary Medical Association indicates that the human-Pet bond is largely undervalued. At Banfield, we know firsthand that simply cuddling or interacting with a Pet for a few minutes provides companionship, a calming effect and decreases our stress level. Whether induced by your Pet or another Pet, you have likely experienced the valuable effects of the human-Pet bond.

I witnessed the profoundness of the bond between my grandfather and his beloved Maltese-Poodle mix, Buster, as he lived at home during his final weeks and days with cancer. Buster was a loyal companion to him; he even camped out underneath his home hospital bed. And when we let him, he laid alongside my grandpa in his bed. Though not very responsive in his final weeks, my grandpa never stopped reaching out to pet Buster’s soft white fur. One of my grandpa’s final smiles came when I held Buster up next to his bed. His eyes lit up and were fixated on his faithful friend, who, like my grandma, was always near his side.

Buster’s big brown eyes and soft “kisses” on my grandpa’s hand provided a unique and undeniable source of comfort to him. My family will always be grateful that he had such a special Pet in his life to make its ending just a little more comfortable. Buster will continue to provide the same companionship, cuddles and laughter to my grandma as he did to both of them when grandpa was still with us.

Since my grandpa’s passing, Buster has seemed to go through a grieving process of his own. To me, this is proof that not only are Pets more perceptive than we tend to give them credit for, but they are truly devoted and deeply attached to their owners. As my grandma will now attest, Pets are also wonderfully intuitive in knowing when we need a couch buddy, a “kiss” or even a chance to ease our grief by laughing at their antics.

If you are fortunate enough to have Pets in your life, remember to enjoy and cherish them, as they do us, at all ages and stages of our lives. It’s easy for us to forget how much our Pets do for us, especially when we have to get out of bed and brave sub-freezing weather for their morning walk. However, if you’re a Pet owner, chances are your physical and mental health is greatly improved because of your Pet’s love and companionship.

If you have a story about how your Pet has helped you or your family, please let us know by e-mailing publicrelations@banfield.net.

Buster

About Christine Antles

Christine Antles works at Banfield's main campus in Portland, Ore. as an external communications specialist. She has a three-year-old Lhasa Apso mix, Emerson, who she adopted from the Oregon Humane Society about two years ago. View all posts by Christine Antles →


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