Month: May 2025
6 Reasons Pets Are Good for You
Pets are great for your health, especially if you’re a woman over 60. It’s a fact. Don’t take my word for it – it’s been proven by medical professionals. Your furry friends are very good for you, which begs the question why pets are restricted in so many communities. But that’s a blog post for another day!
Physical Activity
Dogs go out for a walk to exercise and do their business. Walking is also great exercise for you. It’s good for your health. Of course, please check with your doctor first before starting any walking regimen. But if you have a dog, obviously, you’re going to walk the dog. With those daily walks, you are both getting physical exercise. And that’s a good thing!
Socialization
Dogs are social creatures by nature. On your walks, you’re likely to run into other people walking their dogs. The dog walkers, as they’re commonly referred to. It’s a chance to socialize not only your pet but yourself. Dogs sniff. People talk.
Some people prefer dog parks where both you and your dog can socialize. Some people prefer taking their dog to different places where you can take a leisurely walk. Many stores have water bowls outside for dogs – they expect people and their dogs to stop by. You never know who you will run into and strike up a conversation with. Again, it’s a social thing, which is good for you.
There are even dog meetups you can attend with others looking to socialize.
Stress
Pets are known to bring anxiety and stress levels down in people.
Stroking the fur of an animal can bring down your blood pressure or help to lessen an anxiety attack. That’s why there are therapy dogs that go to hospitals, nursing homes, airports, and more.
Companionship
Pets make wonderful companions. Cats, dogs, miniature horses, whatever your preference. There is another living, breathing thing to keep you company. Someone to talk to. (Yes, I talk to my dogs. I even tell them “I love you,” “Be good girls and mommy will be back, before I leave the house!”)
What can I say? It’s true.
The bond with your pet is a strong one. Your furry friend relies on you for everything. Your pets will hang out with you when you’re sick, watch TV or sit with you while you’re on the computer. In fact, they often know you’re sick before you do! They’re great company!
Depression
Animals have been known to help those who suffer from depression. Having an animal around is a good feeling, a pick-me-up. I’m not saying it’s going to cure your depression – that’s for the medical experts – but it’s nice to know another living, breathing creature who cares about you is there.
And your pet cares about you. The bond we have with them is truly amazing.
A dog can give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It must be walked and fed. And walking the dog gets you out of the house, which you otherwise might not do. They’re great for those who need a push and might otherwise stay in bed. Some communities even have dog parks or dog parks nearby.
Animals help those over 60 with loneliness. Some baby boomers are lucky and have large families full of children, grandchildren and more while others go it solo. They have small, if any, family left. Having a pet helps to ease the loneliness. Some people may laugh at this, but a true pet person gets it. They totally understand and are on the same page.
Service and Esa Dogs
Service and Emotional Support Dogs are wonderful for those who need them.
I’ve seen service dogs specially trained to deal with autistic children, alert their owners to a seizure or a diabetic attack and even take clothes out of the dryer. And I’ve seen emotional support animals help to ease anxiety in a loved one who was diabetic with high blood pressure and heart issues.
People may start out thinking they saved the animal but, as it often turns out, the animal saved them.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Are you a baby boomer looking to buy a home in an active adult or 55+ community with or without pets? Are you planning a move in the near future? Do you have any questions that might help make your home purchase easier? Let’s talk about it!
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Learn to Love Slow Travel: Tips from a Recovering Tourist
How many countries have you visited?
I’ve logged 33 to date, a discovery I made after mapping them with Pin Traveler. The app makes it super simple to track the wonderful places I’ve explored. Pinning destinations was a trip down memory lane. A blurry one, at times.
It’s not that I don’t remember my travels. It’s just that I habitually arrive in a new destination and assault it with a checklist of must-sees, must-dos and must-eats. My vacations are exhausting. But there are so many places to see and I’m running out of time.
Fast Travel or Bust
I return home with a million photos and snatched recollections of the people I’ve met and places I’ve seen. This style is described as “fast” or “rushed” travel. Devotees praise it for several reasons, including:
- Efficiency: You see more in a limited amount of time, great for people with limited vacation days.
- Variety: Visiting many different places and attractions on a single trip is exciting.
- Budget-friendly: Finding affordable tours and cruises with many destinations is easy.
I’ve adopted fast travel as my preferred mode because I want to see as many places as possible before my clock ticks away.
Acknowledge the Problem
My friends and family have intervened, encouraging me to slow down and take time to smell the roses.
Time?
My days continue to march on. Although I’ve ticked some major bucket list trips, including an African safari, I still haven’t…
- Photographed cherry blossoms in Japan.
- Watched a sunset in Maui.
- Road-tripped through New Zealand.
And that’s my shortlist.
Choosing a slow travel holiday never crossed my mind.
The Case for Slow Travel
There’s an argument to be made for slow travel. By spending more time in a place and focusing on the path less traveled, it’s possible to have a richer experience. Other benefits include:
- Increased sustainability from traveling fewer miles and not straining overly touristed destinations.
- Reduced stress and anxiety when you’re not rushing from place to place.
- Personal growth from reflection on a place, its people and culture.
Could I do it? Trade quality for quantity?
There was only one way to find out.
A Slow Boat
Canal barges offer travelers a leisurely way to explore a region. I’ve been to France several times, but never to Burgundy and certainly never on a 12-passenger vessel that cruised at an escargot’s pace, covering about 50 miles over six days.
I boarded La Belle Epoque, one of European Waterways’ 18 vessels, unsure about going cold turkey. I expected to get antsy about two hours into the cruise, itching for sights, sounds and souvenirs.
But the gentle ride, pastoral landscapes and pleasant conversations made for relaxing days.
Liberal pours of Champagne and Chablis helped.
A Different Kind of Sightseeing
The week included five ½-day outings that were very different than the port experiences I normally seek out. For example, if I docked in Stockholm, I’d jump on a tour bus and hop on and off for hours, ticking off as many sights as I could before reboarding the ship.
By contrast, one Burgundy morning was devoted to touring a 12th-century abbey, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We had the buildings and grounds practically to ourselves, so we could intently listen to our captain’s commentary about the history of the order and the incredible architecture. No crowds. No cell phone conversations. Just birdsong and beauty. It was delightful.
A Changed Woman?
My Burgundy barge cruise was the right trip at the right time for me. I’ve had a stressful year with many life changes, including the death of my mom. The chance to spend a few days in a scenic destination with a friendly crew that plied me with French food and wine while slipping through scenic countryside was the kind of therapy I needed.
I can’t say I won’t go back to my old travel habits. As I write this, I have an upcoming 10-day, 9-countries cruise on my calendar. I’m tired and smiling thinking about it. That’s a lot of place pins!
What I will do is seek out more opportunities to sink into a place now that I’ve experienced the benefits of slow travel.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you prefer fast or slow travel? Would you consider a canal barge cruise? If so, where would you want to go: France, Italy, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, England, Belgium, Holland?
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