Page 58 - Woman's Weekly - New Zealand (January 2020)

heyJUDE...
THE PET PROJECT: IT’S A LONG GAME

They say you should t’s hard to think of a life without pets. I’ve I was reminded recently about the benefits
never work with animals had a four-legged something around me my of pet ownership. Studies show they can
(or children!), but the Ientire life. There’s always been a dog, and decrease your stress, your blood pressure
same rules don’t apply sometimes other species – cats and guinea and your chance of allergies, and improve
to living with them. For pigs, an orphaned lamb called Basil at one your mood and socialisation. I’d agree with
all the responsibility pets entail, point in my childhood, and my beloved two all those things. I meet the nicest people
ll th
the benefits of sharing your life horses back in my teens. I’ve loved them all. at the dog park and say a quick hello, and
with them are immeasurable. As I look at how my middle-aged cat deals no doubt there’s something thoroughly
Animalmagnetism! with an exuberant seven-month-old puppy, I therapeutic about cuddling your cat or patting
your dog. Plus, they always seem happy to see
live in hope that the dog will become a relaxed
Jude Dobson fellow fur friend for her to be around and love. you, regardless of how rubbish your day might
ADVICE There are glimpses. I catch them napping have been. Here’s to the animal therapists!
together in sunny spots, and there’s the odd And on that note, the park with a puppy’s
gentle lick of the cat’s head. I’m sure they’ll unbridled energy is calling. The cat will be
benefit from having each other in the family. pleased – the lovely sunny spot on the carpet
We just need one of them to mature a little! she was eyeing up will be vacant.

Cat call

ASK JUDE!

Do you have a problem
you’d like Jude to weigh in on?
Send your questions to nzww@
bauermedia.co.nz with ‘Hey Jude’
in the subject line, or to Hey
Jude, NZWW, Bauer Media,
Private Bag 92512, Wellesley
Street, Auckland
1141.

READER LETTER

OF THE WEEK

Dear Jude, Say something! Risk the offence. know she was hungry much seeing how it went for a while?
We have a darling little cat who New Year, new home for the cat. of the time. They can only say, “No
lives next door. She is always Though let’s be honest, cats do Why not simply say that thanks.” Or they might say,
over at our place and even what they like anyway. You can’t she’s often at your house and “Okay, let’s see how it goes”, or
spends the night sometimes. fence them in like a dog, so it you just love having her there? even a blanket “yes”. Be careful
We try not to feed her, but she might be that the status quo And, with a new year starting, not to paint them as bad owners
is usually quite hungry and is continues. But if she’s a skinny you were reflecting on the (albeit they might be!), but rather
very skinny. Our neighbours wee thing, maybe they aren’t fact that the thought of not yourself as a crazy cat lady who
may not be paying her much giving her the care she needs having her visit would make has fallen for their feline.
attention. We would love to and she’s simply asking to you feel very sad. You really If they say yes, buy the food
take her on if the neighbour move to a new house, and miss her when she’s not there she loves, feed her up and get
finds looking after her a bit too waiting for you to provide the for company, and you thought her a fluffy bed, and I’m pretty
much. Should I say something human translation services. you’d be brave and ask whether sure the love from you and the
and risk offending them? As a fellow animal lover, they might possibly consider comforts of her new home will
Elaine I wouldn’t be very happy to rehoming her with you, and just make it a permanent move.

58 New Zealand Woman’s Weekly