As retirees with time on our hands, our pets become a social benefit, and what gets us up out of our recliners and outside for a walk!
Pets can provide therapeutic benefits to seniors by reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, and enhancing mood through increased production of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. They also help combat depression, encourage physical activity, and can even assist in pain management. For seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's, pets can offer cognitive benefits and a sense of routine. Additionally, pets facilitate social interactions, helping seniors feel more connected to their community and less isolated.
Here's a healthy and delicious dog recipe called Mr. Bojangles Birthday Cake that your furry friend will love:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour (whole wheat or all-purpose) 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (make sure it's xylitol- free)
- 1/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened) 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan or muffin tin.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and baking soda.
- In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil, peanut butter, applesauce, and mashed banana until well combined.
- Add the egg to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan or muffin tin.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before serving.
Optional Frosting
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
Mix the yogurt and peanut butter together and spread it on top of the cooled cake.
We have a 4 yr. old Golden Retriever who loves to play with other doggies. From our previous dogs we know that as he ages, he will start to prefer interaction with people more than romping with doggies, but for now our favorite off-leash dog parks are a gyeat way to get fun exercise.
Marymoor Park in Redmond offers 40 acres of great spaces, including the Slough for our water crazy retriever. It lives up to its name “Doggy Disneyland.” Strawberry Hill Park on Bainbridge Island is our other go- to off leash area. The dog area offers 5 acres of wooded fun, with an abundance of teasing squirrels to keep our critter dog running between trees.
We enjoy our time in the parks, chatting with other owners and being entertained by the shenanigans of all the doggie personalities.