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And then there were two...
17th December
1999
Parents often say that they can't wait for their children to grow up
and leave home, but then, when they do they find themselves wishing
these same children had never gone away.
The house, which used to be filled with laughter and excitement, is
now surprisingly silent and those who remain search for ways to fill
the void.
With the population continuing to age, more and more Australians are
finding themselves as empty nesters’ or parents whose children have
moved away from home.
Although this change in lifestyle brings new-found freedom, it may also
bring some uneasy feelings of loneliness, isolation and a sense of vulnerability.
So to ease these feelings, many empty nesters are buying pets.
Pets provide reliable and unconditional companionship and have become
a popular substitute for the children who have left. It is said that
the presence of a dog, cat, budgie or even a goldfish in a home can
help remove the sense of the emptiness.
Pets bring life to a household. Research studies show that pet owners
are less likely to experience loneliness than non-pet owners and 58%
of pet owners say they have met and made friends through having pets
(National People and Pets Survey).
If empty nesters miss having someone to talk to, then a pet can be an
ideal confidant.
Dogs are always willing to participate in discussions, either vocally
or with a tail ready to wag in response to any comment its owner may
make. A cat is more than happy to listen to chatter, and could be classified
as the perfect conversationalist when all you want is a good listener!
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a pet that is the consummate conversationalist,
then a budgie is your best bet! Or, if you prefer the strong silent
type, a goldfish could be the pet of choice.
Pets offer love, gratitude, fun, companionship and provide owners with
rewarding relationships. In addition, pet ownership has proven health
benefits.
Research shows pet owners have a lower risk of heart disease, lower
blood pressure, and make fewer visits to the doctor. So when the kids
leave home, stress levels can be sure to decrease even further if a
pet takes up residence!
With more and more empty nesters becoming aware of the benefits of having
pets, Australia may see a shift in the empty nest dynamic. Instead of
there being only one or two in the empty nest household, with the addition
of a pet, there may in fact be two, three, four or five!