Help yourself to a healthier heart through caring for a pet

WE ALL know that exercise plus
a lower intake of fats and
cholesterol will help decrease the
risk of heart attack and stroke,
but did you know that if you've
had a heart attack, owning a pet
may save your life?

A recent study found that pet
owners were almost five times
more likely to survive at least a
‘year after a heart attack than
non-pet owners.

Of the 39 non-pet owners in the
study, 11 (28%) died within one

year. Of the 53 pet owners, only -

three (6%) died within one year.
~ <The study also found that pet
. ownership was a significant

‘Rarer breeds
gain interest

From page 20

filters, lights, heaters, temperature
‘controls and‘ fancy decorative cor-

-al; in addition to inhabitants of

such variety as to. almost defy

imagination.

. - Pet owners not restricted by -
~/space ... or

-- proximity to
neighbors can choose from llamas,
miniature hi‘:ses or exotic goats.

- If you prefer something smailer,
‘ferrets ‘are beccming more and
mofe common. Iguanas and

’ tayantulas have a small but in-
creasing appeai.

Younger pet owners are turning
‘to’ gerbils, _ guinea’ pigs, mice,
hamsters, and a variety of rabbits.

Even the dogs and cats are
’ becoming: exotic. Sharpeis from
China, Akitas from Japan,

. Rhodesian ridge-backs from
Africa, and the Mexican: hairless
are not all unusual! any more.

Amongst cats, the tabby will
always be with us, but a lot of at-
tention is given to previously

‘unusuaj breeds such as the Devon .
Rex, Egyptian Mau or Russian .

Blue.

Reprinted: with the permission
of the Canadian Veterinary Medi-
cal Association.

TAC. PET
_ GROOMING

“Nancy: WM. Toms
In Home Service Mon.-Fa

PET SITTING
IN YOUR HOME

teave your pets in
= their familiar surroun:

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variable even when ‘considered
apart from other factors such as
age, severity of heart disease, and
personality type.

The authors suspected that dog
owners might derive benefit from
giving their pets the exercise they
require.

While this is undeniably impor-
tant, the study found that those
pet owners with animals other
than dogs also enjoyed a
significantly higher survival rate
than non-pet owners.

To explain the reasons for the
better survivability of pet owners,
another study surveyed healthy,
aged men and found two major

factors in predicting longevity:
cigarette smoking and the
maintenance of complex, varied
and interesting daily activity.

Obviously, pets can be one
source of pleasurable activity for
their owners,

But furnishing unconditional
affection and a distraction from
one’s problems are things that
Pets excel at.

Providing food, water, groom-
ing and exercise for a pet lends
purpose and color to the lives of
many seniors.

The companionship of a pet has
many benefits for young and old
alike. If you’re a pet owner, you

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Sunday 10:00-5pm

_ North Shore Pet Foods

1264 Marine Dr., Nai.
(beside Save-On-Foods)
(Aquarium Dept.)

already know this to be true. If
you’re not, a pet could do your
heart good.

Reprinted with permission of
the Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association.

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This space has been sponsored by STONG’S to assist the SPCA in finding homes
for these animals available for adoption. For more information, please call SPCA 922-4622.

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2491 MARINE DRIVE 1199 LYNN VALLEY RD.
DEEP COVE
415 NORTH DOLLARTON HIGHWAY