My blessing was complete. My six-year-old daughter, and I were looking for a golden retriever to play with when we moved. A friend suggested that I contact a rescue group in my area. I knew a golden would be a good fit for us — I’d helped my grandmother rescue a golden when I was a kid and been around enough of them to know that temperament-wise, one would be a good fit for us.
I checked the rescue organization’s website and happened upon a likely candidate — he looked a bit scruffy and, per the description, had been surrendered by a breeder due to being “too small and too ugly to breed.” I’m not sure I buy that he was really ever characterized as such — true, he was on the smaller side for a golden (65-70 pounds), but “ugly” and Pringle never resided in the same zip code.
It suffices to say, my daughter and I loved him. Pringle has been the best dog ever for more than 11 years. I’ve shared his story here previously. Though he’s been gone close to three years, he’s always with me. I’ve had multiple pets in my life and loved them all, but Pringle? He was unique.
One of the things — the nice things — about social media is that it allows us to keep up with our friends and acquaintances. Setting aside the political squawking, it’s a lovely way to keep up with the accomplishments and milestones. It also lets us know about any losses. And I’ve been on Facebook, in particular, long enough now that an entire generation of pets have graced the pages of my friends and traversed the Rainbow Bridge.
The friend often shares pictures and stories about how their four-legged friend has enriched their lives. Always, my heart goes out to them because I know — as well as anyone can — the heartache that comes from saying goodbye to a beloved and faithful friend.
Pets aren’t complicated. Although they might need our assistance and our affection, our pets really only need our love. They don’t cling to unrealistic expectations. They don’t play mind games. They don’t generally have baggage for us to carry. They just require some noms, and scritches. They give back tail wags and cuddles in exchange.
More than that, even, they’re good for us. They help us heal — both physically and mentally. Not only do they reduce stress…
Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol , while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies).
In fact, an astonishing 84 percent of post-traumatic stress disorder patients paired with a service dog reported a significant reduction in symptoms, and 40 percent were able to decrease their medications, reported a recent survey.
…they also can lower our blood pressure:
Petting can help lower blood pressure by reducing cortisol and increasing oxytocin. “Petting and holding an animal allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature,” explains Barron. “It’s relaxing and transcendental.”
There is nothing more relaxing than stroking a sleeping pup’s soft fur and listening to their happy sigh.
Like guardian angel Clarence wrote to George Bailey in his beloved copy of “Tom Sawyer,” no man is a failure who has friends. And no man (or woman or girl or boy) who’s been blessed with the friendship of a beloved pet will ever be quite the same. In fact, I do believe they’re angels — in furred, four-legged form — emissaries from Heaven, sent to assure us we’re not alone…and we are loved.
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