š¾ Happy Tails: Why Pets Matter More Than Ever
I totally love my cats, they are part of my family!
My mother always told me that a house isnāt a home without a pet. And she was absolutely right.
Being back in Canada for a few months this summer hasnāt been easy. And Iāve only been here a few weeks. But I miss my cats. Yes, this is a grown woman admitting that what she misses most isnāt the garden, the food, or even the sunshine of Thailand ā itās her cats. My two sweet companions have left a little hole in my heart and in my daily routine.
No furry heads nudging me awake. No sleepy meows warning me they're near death from starvation. No bathroom supervisors or pre-breakfast dance parties in the kitchen. No one to greet me when I return from a walk. No one curled up beside me all night.
The truth is, my cats arenāt just pets, theyāre family. And their absence has reminded me just how much they matter.
š¾ Why Having a Pet Can Change Your Life
Whether weāre young or old, single or partnered, a pet brings love, routine, and purpose into our lives. For those of us who are retired, that connection becomes even more powerful.
Here are 6 reasons why sharing life with a pet makes our days brighter, healthier, and more fulfilling:
1. They ease loneliness and isolation
Pets give us someone to talk to, especially on hard days. We trust them with our feelings. They listen without judgment and offer comfort with their presence alone.
2. They help us live longer
Studies show pet owners live longer and enjoy better health. Pet owners recover more quickly from illness, visit the doctor less, and often require fewer medications. In fact, in the U.S. and EU combined, pets are credited with saving billions in healthcare costs annually!
3. They reduce stress
The act of petting an animal reduces heart rate, blood pressure, and releases calming hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Pets seem to know when weāre feeling off ā and they always show up when we need them.
4. They give us purpose
Feeding, walking, grooming, and simply caring for a pet brings structure to our day. Especially in retirement, that sense of routine is grounding ā and helps us feel needed.
5. They boost our mood and confidence
Pets are a daily source of joy. They lift our spirits with their antics, comfort us during lows, and make us feel capable and connected.
6. They love us unconditionally
No judgment. No expectations. Just loyal, non-stop love. And for many of us, thatās the most healing gift of all.
š¾ Not Ready to Adopt? Try Fostering!
If youāre not sure youāre ready for a full-time pet, why not try fostering? Many local shelters (including SPCAs, and small charities, like Lanta Animal Welfare on Koh Lanta) not only have rescue animals for adoption, they often welcome short-term fosters. This is a perfect way to test the waters and give a homeless animal some comfort while they wait for their forever home.
š¾ Tell Me Your Pet Story!
Do you have a furry (or feathered, or scaly) companion? What role has your pet played in your life, especially in retirement? Iād love to hear about it! Drop your story in the comments or message me directly ā and yes, photos are very welcome.
Meet Peter: Retired Expat on Koh Lanta
Age: 60
From: Born in Dorset, England, lived in many locations throughout his career
Retired from: Project Manager, IT Projects for the British Ministry of Defence
Living in: Koh Lanta, Thailand
Finding Bliss on Koh Lanta šļø
Peterās life has spanned continents, military projects, and meticulous routines. But these days, his rhythm is different. Itās slower, gentler, and happily unstructured. After a 35-year career in the military focused on high-tech projects, Peter has settled into retirement on Koh Lanta, a place he first discovered nearly two decades ago.
A Moment That Changed Everything
Peterās first trip to Koh Lanta was in 2006. He returned many times after, but it was during a visit in 2011 that everything clicked. Sitting in a beachside sala with a book in one hand and a drink in the other, the peace and beauty of the island washed over him.
Then, a dog wandered up, curled beside him, and stayed. In that quiet, perfect moment, with the surf nearby and a furry companion leaning into him, Peter felt something shift. He knew, deep down, that this island would be his future.
That dog was Fitzy, a beloved pet of a long-time UK expat. Fitzy has since passed (in May this year), and Peter shared his heartfelt condolences for the loss of such a gentle soul who unknowingly helped shape his path.
Post-Career and Post-Covid
Peter began house-hunting in 2017, intent on making Lanta his permanent home. But the pandemic delayed his plans. It wasnāt until 2023 that he officially arrived, post-Covid, ready to start a new chapter.
Today, he rents a home that suits him perfectly. He feels no rush to buy, no need to change anything just yet. He says it has everything he needs, and thatās enough.
No Routines, Just Freedom
After decades of structure, Peter now leans into spontaneity. Heās deliberately avoided creating a daily routine.
āI donāt need one,ā he told me. āIāve had structure my whole life. Now I get to choose, or not choose, how I spend each day. And I love it.ā
That freedom has brought him what he calls a state of being āabsolutely, blissfully happy.ā
New Passions, Old Curiosities
Retirement has opened the door to passions that were long waiting in the wings. Cooking, for instance, is something Peter always wanted to dive into. And now he is, experimenting with dishes and enjoying the delicious learning curve.
Heās also taken to motorcycle touring. With no destination in mind, he lets the road decide, exploring the island and surrounding areas at his own pace. Heās even brushing up on Thai by taking a conversational language course.
Healthy Body, Peaceful Mind
Peter is in excellent health. He sticks to a fitness regime and has a comprehensive health plan in place. He continues to take care of himself while fully embracing his slower, island-style life.
And heās mindful of his emotional well-being too. He told me heās stopped following the news. Not because heās uninterested, but because it made him angry and stressed. āItās frustrating to not be able to do anything about it,ā he said. āSo for my emotional health, Iāve stepped away.ā
Safe, Grounded, and Connected
Despite Koh Lantaās remote location, Peter has never felt isolated. In fact, he says heās always felt safe here. He stays connected to friends and family around the world online and enjoys welcoming visitors, though he has no desire to travel anymore.
āI spent my entire career on the move,ā he said. āNow, itās a joy to stay in one place.ā
Financially secure after his long career, Peter has no concerns about the future. Heās exactly where he wants to be ā on an island that once whispered to his heart, now the backdrop to a life that feels truly his own.
š£ Whatās Next?
Stay tuned for my next newsletter on July 12th. Iām going to look at how decluttering is regenerating. It gives us renewed energy, reduces our stress, and helps us open ourselves to new possibilities. Sounds crazy, and extreme. But it isnāt. And maybe Iāll even feature a few of your pet storiesā¦
Until then, go give your pet a cuddle, or start imagining what it would be like to have a pet in your life. š¾