SEASON 2 EPISODE 2
June 2nd at 10 AM PT/ 7 PM CET

What pets can do for older people with Barbara Quick

BARBARA WRITES

Our dogs have always shown such love toward us, as we do toward them. Most of the dogs we have loved were a little large to be lap-dogs, but a miniature poodle early on and now our Jack Russell terrier love to spend time cuddling in our lap. One large Golden Retriever mix that was part of our family before Suzie, tried to sit on my husband’s lap from time to time. She was as big, or maybe bigger, than he was, so it was really laughable.

Most of our dogs were rescued from the shelter or from individuals who either no longer wanted them or just couldn’t care for them. Each dog has its own distinct personality. Many of them love to entertain, which is a fun activity for both them and us. Running, playing with toys, or having us throw a ball or squeaky toy as they chase it — can be great entertainment for them and us.

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STREAMED LIVE HERE on June 2nd 2017

What Pets Can Be For Older People -with Barbara Quick

Time Stamps: WHAT to find WHERE in the video

Timestamps

00:00 Introductions, how to comment, etc.

03:33 David adds a bit of bio including nearly 3 years with Ageist magazine and explains his switch in focus to older “subjects” in front of his camera lens.

04:50 He kept getting older, but his subjects didn’t and that led to founding Ageist.

06:10 The media world hasn’t “caught up” with the new reality of this emerging demographic. A brief history of changing stages on ageing and how that affects value systems and behavior.

8:00 The traditional system in italy, the importance of mindset. The lack of self reflection until you reach a “certain age”.

11:00 The uniqueness that grows as we age, about the the mid-fifties or so. New decisions become possible.

The example of Cynthia Adler.

16:00 Heidi’s experience, more examples

18:00 “The pharmaceutical industry has been very good to me…but…” and Mark’s experience. Lowell Ann’s comment. David deconstructs “retirement”.

23:00 Reactions to AARP. For many, retirement is now unthinkable.
26:10 The need for purpose – which could begin at an early age, and the difficulties of that!

29:40 Lowell Ann adds “meaning” to purpose. David brings up “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl.

31:16 Heidi plugs Jordan Peterson’s “Maps of Meaning”. Mark plugs Ken Wilber. The importance of continuing to learn. David takes off on curiosity. Those who AREN’T curious and how do we relate to them?

39:04 Mark’s big “curiosity” 5 years ago. Trait openness vs. conscientiousness.

42:20 How’s the magazine gowing? Feedback, reception? “Six Things to Do after 50” has over 125,000 views! He add that he’d include in a do-over: importance of family/friends/community and some sort of spiritual relationship. He’s been surprised how many older people meditate, religious practices, connection with nature, to something greater than self.

44:53 Heidi: There’s something more than you…and even you are something more than the you [that] you know!

45:16 So many of those Ageist reaches say they no longer feel invisible, especially women. And David is good at making people LOOK cool! A funny story about “self-empowerment”… VISUAL EMPOWERMENT COACHING! (Heidi’s term)

50:58 Heidi says he’s an archeologist! And david reveals a photographer’s secret: 80% of a portrait is set by the interpersonal relationship you establish. (which is what he’s done in our current interview!)

54:14 The magic unfolding of our interviews/conversations

56:00 David shows some photos from his website. How to connect: agei.st, also a newsletter

57:57 “Ageist” not as a pejorative term, but in the sense of being “pro” ageist.

1:00:40 Thank you’s, good bye’s, final words

HEIDI’S INTRODUCTION

Dogs have always been faithful companions for us humans. We enjoy their presence as playmates in childhood, as a source of delight (and challenge) in adulthood and as precious parts of the family. This becomes even more true when the children have left and the parents feel alone at home. Pets are some substitute for the aliveness which they had experienced before.

This is even more important for elderly people who live alone. The company of an animal is often live saving. Especially dogs who require the owner to go out of the house every day are a precious means to keep older people mobile and healthy. They might find it hard sometimes to take carefor the needs of the dog, but the creature actually gives a meaning to their lives and a reason for getting up in the morning – especially if they are lacking other meaningful things to do in their lives.

Cats don’t need their owners to go out with them, but they still need some maintenance, some occasion for the owner to get out of sleepiness or even depression and to do what needs to be done. And all animals regularly give their thanks to the owner by being close to them and to allow physical contact – which often is missing for people in older years of their lives.

ABOUT BARBARA QUICK

Barbara Quick is a senior with a younger, positive attitude about life. For the past two+ years she has been her husband’s caregiver as he becomes more disabled with Parkinson’s and some dementia.

Barbara loves to write and has some books planned with stories from her 61 years of marriage. One book will be about their late son and living with his mental health problems, and another about their son-in-law and his life of survival since early childhood.

She loves dogs and has had a dog in her family since young childhood. Until about 6 months ago, they only had one dog at a time. Now, however, they have two — a 14 1/2 year old yellow Lab mix and a 6 1/2 year old Jack Russell terrier. She has found life to be a little more hectic with two dogs than it was with one, but they love them both dearly.