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Boonie Tails

By Grace Keilbach

The Rise of “Fur Babies”

If you know any pet owners, especially any DINK (dual income no kids) pet owners, chances are their dogs or cats are treated less like animals and more like human children. Although we will be the first to say dogs aren’t actually babies as they are significantly more durable, there’s no denying that there has been an extremely evident shift in pet culture.

Over the past decade, pets have moved from the backyard to the center of family life. From pet influencers with Instagram accounts often mores successful than their human counterparts to doggy daycare memberships that rival human preschools in cost and care, our relationship with animals has evolved far beyond companionship. What was once a simple and less time consuming relationship has transformed into a lifestyle — complete with premium diets and wedding outfit attire. This shift is more than just people choosing to “spoil” their pets; it reflects a deeper social change in how we define family and love. Additionally, data supports that this new pet focussed lifestyle benefits more than just the animals involved, it positively impacts owners as well.

• According to Pew Research Center, about 62% of U.S. adults own a pet, and of those, 51% say their pet is as much a part of the family as a human member. Pew Research Center

• A survey by the American Heart Association found that 95% of “pet parents” rely on their pet for stress relief. American Heart Association

  • Within that same survey: 68% say snuggling their pet helps de-stress; 67% say it makes them laugh; 61% say it helps them feel less lonely. American Heart Association

• Research from the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience indicates that pet ownership—especially dog ownership—was associated with better cognitive performance and larger brain structures. For example, pet-owners in the study had improved processing speed, attentional orienting and episodic memory versus non-owners. Frontiers

• Dog owners have a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 31% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease than non-owners. PetRadar

• It is estimated that pet ownership saves about US$22.7 billion in U.S. health-care costs, due to fewer doctor visits, reduced obesity etc.

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• On the emotional front, pet-owners report that their dog or cat helps them:

  • Laugh and smile more each day

  • Feel less alone and unwanted

  • Get through stressful life events via non-judgmental companionship
    These functions used to be filled (at least partly) by human relationships — friends, family, kids. Now pets increasingly fill that space.

• The human–animal bond also has physiological correlates: interacting with pets lowers cortisol and boosts oxytocin in some studies — meaning the emotional benefits are anchored in body responses. PetRadar+1

• The cognitive research (see above) suggests pets may protect against age-related decline by offering routine, activity and thus keep owners engaged—so “treating pets like children” can positively impact longer-term well-being.

I recently made a post discussing how it’s much easier to prioritize our pets’ health than our own. One follower commented, “because our mental health depends on our dog’s health”. Dogs, cats, and I’m sure the occasionally guinea pig or lizard have earned their roles as members of the family and this new trend is here to stay. Life is so much better when you have someone to share it with and in a world that can often feel isolating, chronically online, and lonely, pets have filled that role in a way that our fellow humans often can’t. Their companionship is a true example of unconditional love, making their spot in the family and bridal party well deserved.

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Boonie of the Week

I went from starving and injured to healthy and thriving — and now I live each day with joy and love. I sleep like royalty on a king-size bed (I kindly let my humans share it) and have a pack of neighborhood friends who visit me often. I love adventure and going for rides in the car anywhere — windows down, ears flapping, life is good!

One of my favorite things is going with my mom to visit her friend who has dementia. I sit by her side, keep her company, and make her smile. Those days fill my heart — I think she knows I’m there just for her.

And guess what? I even have a special Boonie friend named Anna who lives right across the street! We both came all the way from Saipan — two Boonie babies, reunited in the same neighborhood, in the same state. What are the chances? We play together, we love each other, and we both know we’re the luckiest dogs in the world.

You didn’t just rescue me — you gave me the chance to rescue others, too. My mom needed me just as much as I needed her, and together we’ve healed each other in ways words (or barks) can’t describe.

Thank you, Grace and Aria, for seeing hope in a broken dog from Saipan and for giving me the chance to live, love, and share that love with others. I’ll carry your kindness with me on every new adventure.

With endless tail wags, wet-nose kisses, and love,

🐾 Bones (Your forever grateful Boonie Baby)

Further more, Aria and I would like to thank Bone’s Saipan foster dads, Drew and Sean for fostering Bones and helping him become the dog he is today. Drew and Sean immediately volunteered to take care of Bones and help him during his transformation from street dog to house pet. Bones would not be in Colorado now without their time, dedication, and love.

Tracy, thank you for being the best mom to Bones. We couldn’t be happier that the two of you found each other.

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