Pet Memorial Peternity Blog

Peternity reviews "Katie Up and Down the Hall" by Glenn Plaskin

Have you ever read a book that just stays with you? For days, weeks, months? I'm still savoring the warm, cozy and touching story of Katie, the privileged Cocker Spaniel of celebrity interviewer, Glenn Plaskin. "Katie Up and Down the Hall" is a delightful and moving story of a sweet puppy whose love and spunk magically pull together a family of strangers.

Set in Battery Park City near the financial district in Manhattan, this engaging story tells the tale of how Katie and her charm open up hearts, create lifelong friendships and create family ties in the last places you might expect them.

I really enjoyed the idyllic world that Glenn creates through imagery of this little city of its own, Battery Park that exists within the much larger cityscape of Manhattan. From the descriptions of the views of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, to the vast myriad of vessels floating by his living room window on the 3rd floor with the Hudson river view, to the daily parade of every breed of dog being walked down the boardwalk and frolicking in the grass, to the busy lives of the 9,000 Battery Park City residents attending block parties, picnics and indulging in all sorts of outdoor sports and activities. It almost gave me the feeling of an opening scene of an idealistic, happy film from the 50’s. But the gratifying thing about this story is the challenging life realities that are set against this idealistic backdrop.

The Health Benefits of Having Pets in Your Family

According to the American Pet Products Association 2010 Industry Statistics and Trends, there are many health benefits to pet ownership. I believe that this list is just the beginning of a very long list. What other health benefits have you found from having pets in your family?

• Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
• Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
• Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen