Help with those resolutions

I love reading statistics about us pet lovers as a group, and the latest Pet Age magazine has a couple worth sharing, especially as we start implementing our resolutions to lose weight, be more active, stay mentally aware, take better care of ourselves, etc., etc.

• Almost half (45 percent) of all pet owners feel they are more active after adopting a pet. This is a benefit that pays off both physically (exercise) and mentally (staving off depression).
  
• A bit more than a quarter of women (26 percent) reported losing weight once a pet was part of their family.
• As we get older (whether or not we're in denial), a pet can help improve memory, enhance quality of life, and enable better health through lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Almost 70 percent of those surveyed said they look forward to each new day because they have a pet in their lives.
  

One additional resolution I have is when I look to add another pet to our family, it will be through a rescue group. There's one for every breed and species, as well as the services provided by the local Humane Society. A book that I'll read beforehand is Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know About Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need, which will help ensure the new guy or gal settles in successfully.

Looking forward a fun and rewarding New Year...