Okay, as a “cat owner,” let me be the first to admit — it’s probably more accurate to say that Tigra, our 12-year-old tabby, owns ME. I’m about to ask her permission just now to leave my computer for awhile, disturbing her favorite resting spot between my leg and the arm of this recliner. Unfortunately, I must get up and around for basics like breakfast, taking my wife to her job, etc. If Tigra graciously allows it, I’ll be gone awhile and finish this post a little later in the morning. Let’s see how that works out …

… okay, I’m back. Now, where was I? Oh, yeah, about cat ownership …

Anyway, an extensive study released last month indicates that having a cat could lower your risk of heart attack or stroke BY AS MUCH AS 40 PERCENT! Now that figure is pretty astounding. The researchers have little explanation for why this is true, but their study was done over a 20 year period and involved more than 4,400 people between the ages of 30 and 75.

Now, as with must such statistical studies, this should be taken with a lot of skepticism and a great deal of reservation as to just what it means. The article I’ve linked to above indicates that vets and physicians disagree about the details and the ramifications of this.

But based on that story, one thing seems clear to me — and this is just MY personal opinion, NOT a recommendation! — if we didn’t already have Tigra, I’d be thinking long and hard about a trip to our local animal shelter to invite a cat into our home.

How about you??

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