The Companionship of a Pet

by Yvonne Borsody

Animals provide a critical role in the happiness and mental health of humans, so it’s no wonder that 70% of households in the United States have pets. For elderly persons living alone, who perhaps no longer drive, are disabled or have no family close by, pets can be a bridge between loneliness and joy by giving them another living being to care for and bond with. Animals can truly brighten the life of a senior living all alone.

My friend Mary shared her home with Peanut, her eleven year old cat. Well into her eighties, Mary adored Peanut as much as he adored her. A decade before, she had been a widow living alone in her house, while Peanut had been a hungry neighborhood stray until they found each other. Mary would say “I think he rescued me more than

I rescued him” for Peanut gave Mary a reason to get up in the morning, and a friend to talk to, look after and curl up with when she slept. Mary didn’t drive, was hard of hearing, and was beginning to show signs of cognitive decline. She had friends and neighbors who took her for groceries and medical appointments, but Mary was happiest just spending time with Peanut in the familiar surroundings of her home. Her outer world was shrinking, and when she fell and ended up in the hospital and then went to a nursing home rehab center, Mary and Peanut’s world was upended. Mary would not be able to return home, which meant that her beloved cat no longer would have a home either. (Fortunately for Peanut, his story had a happy ending. I brought him to my home and fostered him in my sun-filled relaxation room and office--cats love sunny windowsills!--while I spread the word among my network of pet-loving friends and colleagues. It took a couple of months to find his dream adopters, a senior couple who appreciated a mature cat, and after meet-and-greets and home visits to ensure a good match, Peanut went to live with them and is thriving.)

What happened with Mary is an unfortunate, yet all too common scenario as our population ages, with many living alone.

Berkshire County’s population is just under 130,000, and its median age is steadily increasing, with 33% of residents age 60 or older. That’s one out of every three Berkshiirites!

Too much solitude can usher in loneliness, grief and depression. After three years of the COVID pandemic, we all know what forced isolation can do to our mental health. We are social beings, and when we lose connection with those we love, melancholy and sadness often result, impacting our quality of life. What a positive difference a pet can make!

Just ask Bob. Bob is a retiree who shares his small apartment with Lavender, a friendly thirteen year old feline that he adopted twelve years ago. Bob laughs as Lavender hops off his lap every time I try to take a photo of the two of them. “She runs this place. She’s the boss, but I don’t mind. I just love her” Bob tells me. He explains how much it means to him to have her there with him—how he wakes each morning to see her sitting on his pillow staring at him (“she wants her breakfast!”) and how she can sense if he’s in a low mood-- she’ll jump up and snuggle, as though she knows he needs comforting at that very moment. Last year, when Bob was hospitalized for three weeks due to a heart issue, his first concern was for Lavender, all alone in their apartment. (His niece who lives nearby immediately took care of her.) Bob can’t imagine life without a cat by his side; he would just be far too lonely. During my very enjoyable visit with Bob and Lavender, as I watched their interactions as Bob regaled me with many stories about her, it was evident to me that the bond the two of them share benefits both of them immensely. There are so many wonderful, mature cats and dogs needing homes, and so many lonely seniors whose lives would be enriched by having a pet.

Future issues of Berkshire Senior will explore topics relevant to seniors and their pets: resources available to help adopt and care for them, how to plan for their well-being should something happen to us, special considerations for seniors who have pets, and other information so that we and our pets can maintain that unique, healing bond that makes our lives so much more meaningful.

IF YOU LIVE WITH A PET, CAN YOU ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING?

1. I have someone who lives close by, who knows my pet and can be called in an emergency

2. I’ve posted the name and phone number of my pet’s veterinarian, in case someone else needs to take over for me

3. I have enough pet food, pet medication, and other things (cat litter, dog chews, etc) in my home to last at least a week or longer, with written instructions

4. I have a sign on my entry door to alert visitors (or police/fire/medical responders) to not let my pet escape when they enter

Yvonne Borsody is a Berkshire resident specializing in animal care and adoption. She has a special interest in seniors and animal advocacy, especially for those who are disadvantaged.