Gents Canine Society

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“A pet is certainly a great friend. After a difficult day, pet owners quite literally feel the love. In fact, for nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates.

1) Allergy Fighters:

“The old thinking was that if your family had a pet, the children were more likely to become allergic to the pet. And if you came from an allergy-prone family, pets should be avoided,” says researcher James E. Gern, M.D., a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with “furred animals” — whether it’s a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals — will have less risk of allergies and asthma, he tells WebMD.

In his recent study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunity changes, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment.

If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies — 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals — a sign of stronger immune system activation.

“Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greater exposure to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system,” Gern says.

2) Date Magnets:

Dogs are great for making love connections. Forget Internet matchmaking — a dog is a natural conversation starter.

This especially helps ease people out of social isolation or shyness, Nadine Kaslow, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, tells WebMD.

“People ask about breed, they watch the dog’s tricks,” Kaslow says. “Sometimes the conversation stays at the ‘dog level,’ sometimes it becomes a real social interchange.”

3) Dogs for the Aged:

“Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home,” says Lynette Hart, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Their caregivers also feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly if it is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog,” says Hart.

Walking a dog or just caring for a pet — for elderly people who are able — can provide exercise and companionship. One insurance company, Midland Life Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, asks clients over age 75 if they have a pet as part of their medical screening — which often helps tip the scales in their favor.

4) Good for Mind and Soul:

Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. “The benefit is especially pronounced when people are strongly attached to their pets,” says researcher Judith Siegel, Ph.D.

In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets.

People in stress mode get into a “state of disease,” in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system, says Blair Justice, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health. Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries, the red flag for heart disease, says Justice.

Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine — nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells WebMD.

“People take drugs like heroin and cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watch sunsets, or get around something beautiful in nature,” says Justice, who recently hiked the Colorado Rockies with his wife and two dogs.

5) Good for the Heart:

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease — lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels — than nonowners, researchers say”.
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* Tony Curtis looks on in amazement as Monsieur Cognac, his co-star in the 1964 Universal comedy ‘Wild And Wonderful’ performs an impressive leap.
Photo by Slim Aarons. (Ernst Haas/Ernst Haas/Getty Images) Source: PhotographersGallery.com

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* Every time I look at little Jack, I have to laugh and smile. Thanks Jack!

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“It’s canines before carnality for Jack Cafferty. In his memoir, “It’s Getting Ugly Out There,” the CNNer and ex-Ch. 4 anchor recalls walking his Cairn terrier along Sixth Avenue when a hooker sashayed up. ” ‘I see you and your dog every night,’ she said. ‘You know, I’d do anything you wanted if I could have that dog.’ ‘Darling,’ I said, ‘You don’t know enough tricks for me to part with my dog. He’s my buddy.’ ” From Page Six.

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* Vintage Backstreet Boy. Source: OMG.blog.

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* Read about it here.

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I’m thankful that this disgusting “sport” has come out in the open. What kind of human being enjoys seeing a dog torn to pieces by another dog. It makes me sick to realize this practice is as wide spread as it is. I see some guys walking around with a pit-bull on a chain, with this attitude of “I’m the man” and I’ve always thought they were just men that were unsure of themselves and their masculinity, like so much of the male posturing that goes on in our society. Now I understand that some of these creeps may also be involved in the bloodsport of dog fighting. The poor dogs are the victim’s. And what these perverted perps are creating puts all of us in danger, our pets, our children, and an entire breed of dog. They create a monster to satisfy their sadistic ego and their greed. Whenever I see a dog behaving badly, I realize it mirrors the shortcomings of the owner. But in this case these poor dogs are born and bred to be aggressive. Fighting to the death in a desperate need to please their “masters”. There must be a special place in hell for this kind of dog breeder/owner. Sign petition here.

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Photo: SocialPhilly.com

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