Five years ago she was suffering from empty nest syndrome, but the introduction of lovable pooch Pansy has turned Justine Martin's life upside down in the best possible way.
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The mother of two said she was at a real loose end after her son and daughter moved out of the family home.
She tried sharing with flatmates for a while, but it didn't work out.
"It was dead quiet and lonely and I just felt empty with no one to love, no one to fuss over," she said.
After finishing a course of chemotherapy and deciding she was healthy enough to be a responsible pet owner, she decided a companion animal was the perfect solution - enter Pansy.
Justine - who also lives with multiple sclerosis - said Pansy has completely changed her outlook on life, taking her mind off her health issues by nurturing her maternal instinct.
"It's just like having another child. When you get them as puppies, they are like babies, then they go through the toddler stage.
"You have to make sure their needs are met - toileting, cleaning up after them... I'd be lost without her."
Justine also runs art wellness classes for people with disabilities at her home and said Pansy is just as loved by the many visitors who frequent the house.
The dachshund inspired the artist and author to write Same Same But Different - a children's book which encourages children to look past differences with others to see the common ground.
"I wrote the book about her because she treats everyone the same... sees everyone the same, regardless of their race, their gender, their abilities."
Pansy has also inspired her own range of coffee mugs, which Justine sells on her website, and a six-metre mural on her fence. More children's books about Pansy are also in the works.
"When we go out and sign autographs, she's got her own pawprint stamp. We'll often do market stalls and I'll sit her on the table. She's like the Queen of Sheba, she loves the attention."
Pets and wellbeing
New research commissioned by Australian Seniors suggests Justine is far from alone when it comes to her experiences.
The survey of people aged older than 50 found almost nine in 10 said pets had given them a greater sense of purpose.
An overwhelming majority agreed that pets provided benefits such as unconditional love, affection, and companionship (96 per cent) and that close relationships with pets have a positive impact on mental health (95 per cent.)
Pets were also found to stave off loneliness in 89 per cent of respondents, and provide cognitive stimulation for 82 percent. More encouragement to exercise and opportunity to socialise were also seen as major benefits.
Choosing the right pet
Almost two thirds of respondents said their love for animals was their primary motivation for getting a pet, while more than half (52 per cent) adopted from rescue shelters. Personality and size were the key considerations, while appearance and age were lower priorities.
Personality, loyalty and comforting presence were the three traits pet owners found most beneficial about adopting a furry friend.
For more information on the research click here.
