Tag: pets

Pets and Mental Health

Pets are awesome.

They bring love, companionship, fun, a sense of responsibility, and lots and lots of cuddling to a home (among other things). But pets may also help in another way: promoting good mental health.

I know for me, my dog Daisy and cat Misty keep me upbeat. I feel good as I take care of them. In turn, my pets are happy – which makes me feel doubly good.

I love taking Daisy for walks when the weather is nice. Not only does it get me outside in the sun and get me exercising a bit, but it provides opportunities for me to take photos of nature and of me and my pup. And Daisy doesn’t mind getting out and about as well as keeping on top of the scents in her neighborhood!

Misty is older and does a lot of sleeping and eating, but I still enjoy petting her and brushing her giving her “kitty kisses.” She likes the sun, her cat condo, her food (and treats), and long naps. Just knowing she’s there gives me a good feeling.

All of these benefits help me with my depression and anxiety.

I don’t feel as alone knowing that my pets are around. It also helps that they can snuggle with me in silence – I don’t have to be a certain way around them, and I don’t need to verbally express what’s going on in my mind or hope that their response is encouraging instead of disheartening.

I would recommend a pet to anyone struggling with mental health issues who won’t be too overwhelmed by trying to take care of it!

How is your relationship with your pets? Do they help to keep you in good spirits? Is there a benefit they provide to you that I haven’t mentioned? ❤

The pup and I on our walk today! Yes, I may be acting just a tad goofy in this pic.

Thankful Thursday – Outings, Pets, and Forgiveness

I haven’t written a “Thankful Thursday” post in quite some time; but I felt like writing tonight, and what better subject to write about than things I’m thankful for?

Here’s just a few:

A trip to Batsto with my Hubby  – Roy and I were able to drive down to Batsto on Sunday to share some time together and to take some photos. The weather was a little chilly – but still nice – and it was a blessing to be able to breathe in the *almost* Spring air.

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A booked vacation to Williamsburg  – The Hubby and I haven’t been able to get away much, but we try to take a trip each year for our anniversary in May. We were able to find a location and a hotel that work for us, and we’re looking forward to exploring Williamsburg and Shenandoah in a few short months!

The comfort of our pets – I’m always grateful for our dog, Daisy, and our cat, Misty…but they really have been a comfort recently. They’re there with me during the day when the Hubby is working and they keep me company. They definitely have their weird quirks, but that only causes us to love them more!

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God’s forgiveness – I haven’t been doing well with my sleep schedule. I don’t feel tired until late at night, wake up numerous times after going to bed, and then I sleep-in the next day. It has been a battle for me for some time, and sometimes I feel like I’ll never overcome it. But God has been gracious, forgiving me when I mess up, and encouraging me with His Word and His Spirit to keep fighting.

What is something you’re grateful for? Thanks for reading, and I hope your week is going well! ❤

 

Photos By: Crystal Knauss

About Me (Part 2)

Want to get to know me a little better? Here’s your chance! 😀 This is Part 2 of my “About Me” series. Part 1 (questions 1-25) can be found here. The posts are a series of questions that I found here – and they delve a little deeper into the recesses of, well, me! So take a moment and scan through the questions and my responses…and hopefully you’ll learn something new!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
I don’t really watch many sports games on TV – but they Hubby likes to sometimes, so I’ll end up watching them because he’s watching them. The sports that he tends to watch are either football or baseball. Now if I went to a live game, that would be different. If I did have such an opportunity, I would probably want to see a hockey game!

27. HAIR COLOR?
Okay, this seems like an easy question, but for me it’s not so much. I think I have brown hair with golden highlights, but my husband says my hair has more of a reddish hue. So I guess I’ll just mix them all together and say that I have brown hair with golden and red highlights.

28. EYE COLOR?
Green 🙂 With flecks of gold in there, too.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Sometimes! I go back and forth between contacts and glasses. For a while there I was wearing my glasses all the time, but now I’m back into wearing my contacts during the day and my glasses at night. Either way, I need them, because my eye-sight is horrible!

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
I have no idea! I like many foods, and it really depends on what I have a craving for. But I do like pasta and other Italian foods a lot, especially my Mom’s baked ziti, which she serves with a caesar salad and garlic bread that’s right out of the oven. Mmmmmm!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I don’t like scary movies. Okay, well, maybe some of them. I like Thrillers. But they can’t be too disgusting. I DO like happy endings…but not forced happy endings. I like when  there’s some sort of struggle or tension in the plot, but the characters work their way through it and it’s resolved. Also, it can be okay when a movie leaves you thinking about it long after the ending.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Déjà Vu, starring Denzel Washington. We watched it over my brother’s house, relaxing in comfy chairs and munching on tasty snacks. It was a good time!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
I am wearing a marled gray and white t-shirt. I know, pretty boring…but it’s comfortable!

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Ugh, I don’t like either! I can’t stand the heat and humidity of summer, and I don’t like how you have to get all bundled up in winter…and I’m not a big fan of snow – but I guess the lesser of two evils would be winter.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both are great, but I’d lean towards liking hugs better. There’s something so soothing about being wrapped up in a great bit hug!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Anything canolli, cheesecake, key lime pie (it must have a good crust…to me that’s the best part), anything with chocolate and peanut butter, or cinnamon, or vanilla…you can tell I like desert, huh? 😉

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Both would be beneficial, but unfortunately I don’t really do either right now. I do walk my dog each day, so that’s a little bit of cardio. But I need to do more.

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Hmmmm, I’m not a big television fan – unless it’s NCIS or Big Bang Theory…so I guess I’d have to say computer. I do my work on the computer, I write my blog posts, and I surf around for whatever interests me at the moment!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
I’m reading a Young Adult book called “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick. It’s book one of a series of engrossing fantasy novels. I’m really enjoying it so far. 🙂

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A collage of pictures of me and my husband on our wedding day (May 27, 2012). I’ll even show you a pic of it!

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41. ANY TATTOOS?
No, but I’ve thought about it. Something small and tasteful. I guess we’ll see! 😉

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
The sound of handbells. My husband and I play handbells at our church, and we love it!

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
I’m not really that into either, but if I had to pick it would be the Beatles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME IN 2017?
My parents’ house, about an hour away. I know, not very far. But I used to travel – I’ve been to Chile (in South America) and China.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I’m good at empathizing with other people.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
I was born in New Jersey! Yep, I’m a Jersey girl.

47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Still living in NJ! My family and friends are here, so it’s difficult to think about moving.

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
It’s ivory and brown. Not very exciting, but it works for now.

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
It’s a heather blue.

50. ANY PETS?
Yes, we have two pets: a dog named Daisy and a cat named Misty. They make our lives all the more lovely. 🙂

Thanks SO much for reading, and I hope that this was fun and informative! If you have any other questions you’d like to ask me, feel free to leave them in the comments section. Blessings to you. ❤