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Section: Feature
Get a Dog and Get Healthy
By Anthony Chabala
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Brothers of Mercy’s resident dog, “Donna Mae,”
with Father Guy Siracuse; photo courtesy
of Brothers of Mercy.
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Everyday someone offers seniors their two-cents. “You need companionship,” your friends say. “You need more exercise,” your doctor says. “You need a change of pace,” your family offers. But perhaps the answer to these requests and your desire for unconditional devotion has been trotting on four legs, up and down your street, for your entire life. The dog is not only man’s best friend, but also, the experts agree, a health club on four legs, and a neverending supply of joy, entertainment and love.
Think your situation doesn’t allow for bringing a furry friend into your life? Nonsense. There is a canine perfect for nearly any situation that involves a loving, caring owner. Some dog breeds require more grooming or exercise than the next, and in President Obama’s case, luckily, some dogs are even hypo-allergenic.
Here is a little sample of what dog breed you may want to consider when contemplating adding a furry member to the family.
If you are living in a condo, apartment, or small living space, the Maltese, pug or cockapoo may be the perfect breed for you. These dogs are great companions, they require little grooming and a few laps around the table is ample exercise for these beauties.
One unique breed is the Bolognese. Bred as companions, the dogs feature long, dense hair, and are known as charming, lovable animals. Pure breed Bolognsese puppies are available at Bolognese Village in Kenmore (874-5494, www.bolognesevillage.com).
If you have a backyard, a house that permits roaming, time to train, exercise, and groom your best friend, and a willingness to go on long walks, then a beagle, any terrier or almost any midsized dog could be a happy member of your household.
For those with lots of room in the house, a large yard, and the discipline to consistently take long walks, breeds such as the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, or the famous and beautiful Irish Setter may be perfect.
Don’t for one second think that you have to go out and purchase an expensive, designer dog. The dogs up for adoption at the SPCA will provide just as much love and entertainment to your days as one costing hundreds or thousands more.
And if you feel as if you would like to help make a difference, but cannot actually own a dog at the moment, the SPCA gladly accepts volunteers who can act as dog walkers.
Seeking the ultimate in animal entertainment? Take your dog to a “doggie playgroup.” Here, dogs and their owners all show up at a designated time, based on size or age, and the dogs have the time of their lives getting in the mix for an hour or so.
After an hour of tomfoolery with other dogs, your pup is sure to be out of energy for the rest of the day, so it’s a good chance to catch a break. These playgroups are at various dog daycares and obedience locations all over WNY.
And of course, the mental health benefits of owning a dog are obvious, especially for older folks. This’s why so many health care facilities, such as Brothers of Mercy, have resident dogs or visiting animals.
Buffalo native and retired school teacher Tom Sadowski and “Annie,” his 14-year-old West Highland Terrier, have stunned both veterinarians and physicians alike by staying in such great shape. They owe it to each other, as every night, Sadowski and a group of fellow dog owners on his street take a late-night trek around their neighborhood.
“We have made a commitment to our dogs, ourselves and each other to meet every night and exercise for the good of all involved,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 15 degrees below zero, pouring rain, or if a bout of flu has us feeling ill; we meet, we talk and we walk.”
As Tom and Annie prove, there is nothing more rewarding than waking up to a wagging tail every morning. Once you own a dog, you are responsible for its well-being every second of every day. If you truly care, then you can kiss boredom and laziness goodbye. Your dog’s needs go hand-in-hand with your own, and that’s the start of a beautiful friendship.
Future Forever Young pet pieces will focus on pets’ important roles at local nursing homes, pet grooming and more.
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