Our Pets and Divorce - My Latest Article

 The Power of Family Pets and Divorce

Can you see how important I feel pets are to us when we are going through divorce?  I have written about this topic once before, but felt so strongly about it that I wrote another article.  This one was just
published in LAFamily.com (and 4 other publications that also publish my weekly articles). I wanted to share it with you here on my blog, hoping to reach many more of you out there all over the world. 

I think our pets are a big part of our support system as we move through divorce, and then finally begin to heal and re-build our lives. They are such a blessing to us all.  I hope you enjoy my article, and I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about your own pets and what they mean to you.  Here's my article, enjoy:

If animals have been a part of your family's life, they will be especially important as you go through divorce. Your pet will be a great source of support and strength for you and your children. Pets have a special way of providing unconditional love. As you go through divorce, your pet will be a stabilizing factor letting you know that "everything will be okay."

Here are some helpful reminders about the power of pets during divorce

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Getting your zest back for life:

Your family pet will "be there" for you as you go through divorce. You will feel unconditional love and support. It has been shown that your family pet can help prevent depression, and provide much needed companionship. Periods of crying, not sleeping, and withdrawing from friends and family may be alleviated if you have a family pet to care for. You will feel happier if you have a family pet there to love you and your children unconditionally.

Pets and your health during divorce:

The positive power of pets on your mental, emotional and physical health is real. Studies have shown that having a family pet can lower your blood pressure, lower anxiety and improve your heart rate. Those who have family pets tend to have more consistent behavior than families who do not, because of the genuine unconditional love a pet provides. Pets have a way of calming us, which helps to decrease stress levels during divorce.

Your family pet still needs to be cared for:

You and your children will need to care for your family pet. This is a good thing as you go through divorce. It will help you focus on something other than yourself and your circumstance. For example, if you or your children are feeling sad, you will still need to feed your dog and take him or her for a daily walk. This sense of stability is helpful for you and your children during this difficult time.

Children and their pets:

Your children will receive great comfort from your pet as you go through divorce. Pets help ease the difficult transition children experience. The companionship, sympathy, and unconditional love children feel from their pets will remind them that they are important, special and lovable. Your family pet will lessen the loneliness your children may feel, as well as increase their ability to have empathy for others.

The power of pets will help you make it through the rough waters of divorce. Your pet is non-judgmental, loving, welcoming, comforting and accepting of you. These qualities are lifesavers as you go through divorce. The unconditional love, and companionship your pet provides will help you and your family survive divorce. Don't forget to add your family pet to your support system.

Here's the link to my article at LAFamily.com  http://www.lafamily.com/marriage-and-divorce/power-family-pets-and-divorce. You can follow my articles every Thursday, and read all my past articles there, too. Just scroll to the bottom of my article and  you'll see - "More articles by this Author."  Love you to "like" it, too :)