Prevention Magazine Says Dogs Help Stress Management

I am so relaxed with my little doggie to hug. And I promise this is a faux fur I am wearing.

The December 2010 issue of Prevention magazine (the print issue and online) lists six new stress management strategies. Their article, Everything You Think You Know About Beating Stress Is Wrong, suggests cuddling with pets, instead of talking to friends and family, as the new boost for stress relief.  It is number three on the list.

Prevention cites: "Having your pet, whether a cat or a dog, with you during a stressful event turns out to be more soothing than a best friend or a spouse," says James J. Blascovich, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara."

To read the full article online, visit Prevention magazine by clicking on this link.

No wonder I can nap during the day and sleep for hours at night. My stress level must be zip. I have my six stress relievers living under my roof. Or is that woof?

The ladies and gentlemen in Victorian times knew this too! But I bet that one of these dogs was stressed out by his owner. Can you find which one?

Ghosts Of Dogs Past - Victorian Cabinet Cards

From Wikipedia:

The Cabinet card was the style of photograph which was universally adopted for photographic portraiture in 1870. It consisted of a thin photograph that was generally mounted on cards measuring 4¼ by 6½ inches.

Do you ever look at old photos of people and their pets and wonder what story is behind a picture? I love the old cabinet card photos. Such proper portraits that show the styles, dress and proper attitude of the

Victorian age. The ghosts of children looking so somber with their favorite pet. How difficult do you think it was for the photographer to get them to sit still long enough for to capture the picture?  Don't you know the children wanted to just sit on the floor and hug their dogs!

For your viewing pleasure some lovely time worn old images.

Top Photo From England



Now here is a dog waiting to be kissed!