Let’s talk about laughter

Jennifer Vanderau
Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter

(6/2023) It’s one of my favorite expressions of which humans are capable.

Studies have shown that laughter is good for the body and I happen to believe that includes the soul as well.

My dad is a firm believer in laughing and has instilled in his kids the ability to joke and laugh and "carry on," as he puts it (although if he’s irritated with us at the time, that little two-word phrase can carry a bit of a negative connotation). The longer I live, the more I believe that giving the understanding of and aptitude for laughter is one of his greatest gifts to us.

In fact, if you google "laughter is the best medicine," it’s amazing the different research out there that just about proves that. Medical journals and scientific studies abound that say laughter has a physical effect on the body that helps reduce pain and allows us to better tolerate discomfort, as well as lowers blood sugar levels and helps blood vessels.

That’s a heck of a list of benefits.

It’s fortunate that I tend to surround myself with sources of laughter on a daily basis. For instance, six cats in my house and a host of shelter animals.

My felines are pretty much an endless comedy routine. Well, sometimes the comedy gives way to my "what on earth are you thinking?" moments, but still. They’re pretty funny.

Loki, who was so appropriately named after the God of Mischief himself, is probably one of the biggest characters in the house. I’m convinced if he had opposable thumbs, I would be held hostage in a human slave colony run by Loki. That boy is just too smart for his own good.

He’s gotten to the point where he likes to drink water from the faucet in the bathroom. It’s pretty cute, but the longer it’s gone on, he has started to demand it. Any time I go to the bathroom, there he is hopping up on the sink and giving me his standard "stink eye." He will stay there and meow at me until I turn the water on just a little bit so he can drink.

The problem becomes if I forget to turn it off. Oi.

Well the other morning after providing his majesty with his morning liquid refreshment, I move back into the room to start my own daily rituals. The evening had been a bit chilly, so I had closed the windows over the screen. After Loki had gotten his fill of water, he jumped up on the window and began – I’m not joking – to paw at the glass until I walked over and opened it for him.

He then laid down across the window sill, took a few breaths and promptly fell asleep. It was as though he was saying, "That will be all. I must take my repose now."

I ended up laughing and wondering what on earth my life has become that I apparently do the bidding of a feline.

He’s something else.

A few years ago at an offsite adoption event for the shelter, we had a Saint Bernard mix, named Travie, and a Chihuahua, named Chilupa. I’ll give you a minute to capture the mental image of the two of them together. It very much resembled that old Warner Brothers cartoon with the bulldog and the little pup who kept jumping over him.

So at one point, Travie’s stretched out on the ground, just chillin’, greeting people, having some pizza, and Chilupa walks up to him and starts pawing at his back, like she’s either trying to make a nest in his fur or scratch that unreachable itch for him.

The digging went on until Travie heaved a huge sigh, looked up to me and my volunteers with an expression that said, "Would you all mind taking care of my light work?"

Too much.

They got along so well and provided the humans with a whole lot of entertainment.

Animals, man. They bring so much to the world. Not the least of which is the laughter and joy of their antics and silliness.

So I think I’ve got the key to good health. Get yourself a four-legged friend, set them up in your house and watch ‘em go.

The endorphins released from the resulting laughter just might help lower your blood pressure, decrease blood sugar levels, help you deal with pain and strengthen your blood vessels.

I say that’s a prescription for a pretty happy life for everyone involved.

Jennifer Vanderau is the Publications and Promotions Consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.