Ahhh! Who can truly comprehend the importance of the human touch, not only to other human, but to all living creatures? I have written before about my first dog, that I gave the strange name of Jeep. Why Jeep? Because the second World War was going on at the time we met, and I fell in love with and was enamored with the Army jeep. The name actually came about because the small, agile vehicle was given the official title of General Purpose Vehicle or G.P. ( Jeep) for short. As a fifth grader, I would sit in class and draw pictures of jeeps. Later, when I first saw this little dog, not much more than a puppy, wandering along the street, he appeared to be starving, dirty, and in need of a home. I called him to come to me, and though a little reluctant at first, he finally came. I pet him and scratched him behind his ears and after that he was jumping all over me. He was starved for love and affection more than anything else. Obviously, he hadn’t ever had very much love from anyone. I started for home, and he was right behind me. I don’t recall ever asking either one of my parents if I could keep him; he just started merging into the family. He was mine, and I was a happy and excited young boy to have him. I needed his love and attention, and he needed mine. We were constant companions until he was run over by a car about six years after we had met. I was brokenhearted. We both grew in our ability and capacity to show or to demonstrate love. That is probably the most important reason children should be allowed to have pets. They will learn faster how to love and be loved, because I believe dogs are more affectionate than are humans. That is probably true for many other pets as well. For example, a common verbal exchange/complaint between children in most families is: “Mom, he/she touched me.” As if that touch were a violation of space, and human dignity, and to them, and for that moment in time, nothing will ever be the same again. A pet could change all that as the child would be used to being touched and to touch. My Dad was as full-blooded a Norwegian as a person could get. His parents were both children of Norwegian immigrants. I seldom remember him being affectionate with mother, at least in front of any of his eight children. He just did not know how to give hugs and/or kisses; it just was not in his make-up. When I was in my thirties, we visited my family in Spokane, Washington. Mother and dad were divorced by then, and before we left to return to our home in Utah, we arranged to take dad out to dinner. After dinner, and as we were leaving, I gave dad a big hug and told him that I loved him. I wondered how many times that had ever happened to him. He died shortly after that, and I can remember thinking that I was sure glad that I had given him a hug and let him know that he was loved. It was a rather awkward moment for him, but he did return the hug.
I read to the elderly in a local nursing home once a week, and some of those who attend are very affectionate and want a hug when I come and a hug when I go. I read stories and humorous jokes, and they laugh and enjoy our time together. One woman in particular criticized another woman who gave me a tight and sincere hug. She said that she thought it would be a violation of her marriage vows if she were to give me a hug like that. She was a rather standoffish person, and the thought occurred to me that she might be Norwegian. But the one thing that was very obvious to me was that those who were huggers were much happier in appearance and in their demeanor. If the truth were known, they were probably much healthier as well. Many studies of humans as well as animals will tell us that those with close and loving (physical) relationships are healthier, happier and live longer than those who do not have that kind of touch oriented love in their families.
There was a study of cancerous mice in a carefully controlled laboratory setting, and they separated them into two equal groups. Both groups were given the same medical treatment in an effort to cure the cancer. The only difference in treatment between the two groups was that one of the two groups were held and talked to by the laboratory workers. At the end of the project, the results were reported as follows. The group of mice that were touched and handled by the laboratory workers not only were free of cancer at the end of the treatment period, but they were healthy, having a strong immune system and thriving. While the group who received the treatment, but no other attention, all died of cancer.
There are psychological studies conducted that verify the significance of touch for normal growth and development among children. Children who were raised in a loving, caring environment where they were held and loved and made to feel important were healthier and had a happier countenance than were children without that loving nurturing environment. The children who were raised without a loving environment were not as active socially and were not productive students. If you are mentally, emotionally and physically able to express love in your home, you are guaranteed a healthier and happier family, especially if it includes domestic animals such as a dog and/or a cat.
Always give warm hugs to your children and other family members, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart, and it doesn’t cost a cent. A kiss and an embrace will mend much hurt, whether physical, mental or emotional. Hold hands and cherish the moments that you have with your loved ones, for someday they or you may not be there to love.