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Donating to rescue is one way to improve the lives of cats. Promoting adoptions is another worthwhile activity. I think as animal lovers we all do something to improve the lives of animals as the opportunity presents itself. It could be small change in the rescue donation box at the local store, a bag of food dropped off to the local shelter or any one of a number of other things that filters its way through to help an animal in need. We have taken in many abandoned cats over the years and contributed to the fundraising activities of rescues. As an artist, I now use my art to continue to support rescues around the world. But everyone can do something really without breaking with their daily routine, taking a cent out of their budget or giving away the family inheritance. As you may well know, cats are great little creatures. Apart from being wonderful companions they contribute to the health and well-being of their guardians. Owning a cat is just what the doctor ordered! According to research completed by the University of Minnesota's Stroke Institute in Minneapolis, cats naturally alleviate stress and anxiety. They potentially reduce the risk of heart attacks in humans by a very significant 30%. Most people don’t know this but imagine if by sharing this fact with family, friends and workmates you influenced one or two of them to consider a cat as a companion animal. Couple that fact with a nudge towards the local shelter and you may well save 2 our more lives over a cup of coffee! Researchers agree that for years there has been irrefutable evidence that stress and anxiety contribute to cardiovascular incidents including heart attacks. When contact with a cat has been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety there is a clear benefit that is both psychological and physical to having a cat What is it about a cat that can reduce stress and anxiety? It is believed that cats typically purr when it's a calm and relaxed time and that humans may subliminally associate relaxation with the purring sound. The purring sound may reduce blood pressure and improve healing mechanisms in the body. Those that have them know that they are incredibly entertaining. They are highly interactive responding to the touch and voice of their human companions. They certainly cause you to smile and laugh both of which are very healthy human responses and provide their human companions with love and loyalty. These are likely the reasons why humans and cats have shared a bond for over 10,000 years. The latest addition to their positive qualities is the fact that they are recognized as strong promoters of human health and all round healers in the most holistic sense. One cat that I rescued several years ago is really living proof of this fact. He came to us as a sick little kitten that was all skin and bones. We named him “Tetley”. Once he was well I placed him with a lady that I knew who was physically challenged and used a wheelchair for mobility. He quickly became the love of her life and she noticed that he had some very special qualities. She used to spend a great deal of her time visiting people in hospice, hospitals and aged homes. Tetley accompanied her and his interaction with the patients and residence was so remarkable her later became the first pets as therapy cat in British Columbia, Canada. This little cat’s visits to people had remarkable results. Withdrawn stroke victims who did not normally communicate would talk to Tetley on each of his visits. He would instinctively understand their affected side and position himself so that they could pat him using their functional arm. He comforted the dying and brought joy to the lonely. He was likely the most requested visitor on the list of many people. Tetley is still working as a pets as therapy cat today and he is the subject of at least 2 of my paintings to date. http://fineartamerica.com/featured/tetley-marlene-watson.html Someday I think his story should be a book. Cats are purr-fect for your health More than just reducing stress and anxiety, there is healing in the purr of a cat. The soft, rhythmic vibration is usually attributable to a cat’s state of mind. From a scientific perspective a cat’s purr carries vibrations in the range of 25 – 140 Hertz or cycles per second. Purring indicates when a cat is happy or content. However this common cat sound may have some serious healing power behind it. Recent studies suggest that purring acts as a "natural healing mechanism" by promoting bone and muscle regeneration in cats. But wait… the frequency of vibrations that has been shown to bring therapeutic benefits to humans is right in line with the purr of a cat. According to MSN News, "Exposure to vibrations between ranges of 20 to 140 Hertz (number of cycles per second) is helpful for bone growth, fracture healing, pain relief, swelling reduction, wound healing, muscle growth, mobility of joints and repair of tendons and ligaments." This is just another way that cats make perfect companions and contribute to health and longevity for those that care to include them in their life. If you have owned a cat you know the feeling that these four-legged friends inspire. Taking the time and opportunity to convey that to a third party is another great way to help promote the human/cat bond and promote the adoption of a cat from a shelter or rescue. As famous writer and cat lover Ernest Hemingway's said, "One cat just leads to another," Well known veterinarian Dr Gamez says, "Cats are like potato chips; people can't just have one." As a good friend you would share your potato chips so why not share your knowledge on the wonders of cats. You may save a life or two and you will most certainly make the lives of humans and cats more fulfilled. Written by: Marlene Watson http://www.marlenewatsonart.com Marlene Watson is an established artists who uses her work to support cat and dog rescue and to promote the pet/human bond
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Cats, Adoption, Rescue, Shelters, Health, Stroke, Purring,
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