Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and what Matters in the End

Bill Thomas insists that pets—dogs, cats and birds—belong in assisted-living communities such as his Eden Alternative. Though they create mess and may not be strictly hygienic, Thomas asserts that they give residents something to care for, adding a compelling sense of purpose to seniors’ lives. His supposition is supported by the experiences of Lou Sanders, who forms an intense bond with his daughter’s pet dog and initially becomes depressed when he leaves the dog behind and moves into a nursing home. Having pets or plants to care for gives the residents a sense of connection and meaning.