This Pet Walk in Scarborough, Maine, Could Literally Save Your Life

I'll be flat out honest and blunt right off the bat with this -- I'm not a big fan of emotions. There's a reason why I'm 90% sarcasm and 10% deep and emotional, because emotions can just be draining for both parties experiencing them.

That said, this is definitely one of those 10% moments, because quite simply put, this could be a situation where your life is saved, and that's not a clickbait sentence or said for dramatic effect -- it's factual.

Pets Are Better Than Humans

It's a statement that's said on the regular. Whether it's on memes, on shirts, and everywhere in between -- pets are better than humans. And it's probably actual fact written and researched somewhere. Because for the most part, while simply the sight of some humans can cause negative emotions in other humans, the sight of a pet can easily melt those negative emotions away.

I remember first seeing a picture of my dog, Remy, when he was still listed as up for adoption on the New Life for Paws Foundation website, debating whether or not to take the plunge into becoming a dog dad, and my friend Katherine sent me a meme that tipped the scales for me.

It was a comic strip with four panels -- the first panel was a man with all the stresses of the world weighing down on him and negatively impacting him. The second panel was the man getting home to his dog, and the transfer of negative emotions from the man to his dog. The third panel was the dog simply getting rid of the negative emotions, and the final panel was both the man and dog happy as can be.

And it's reasons like that, that this event could save your life, especially if you're struggling.

Paws for Prevention Walk, Scarborough, Maine

The Paws for Prevention Walk is put on by AFSP - the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. On Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Memorial Park in Scarborough, Mainers and even Granite Staters from all over will gather for not only a springtime walk with their furry friend(s), human friends, and family.

They'll also gather to raise money and bring awareness to one of the greatest battles ideally no one would ever have to face, but many of us silently do -- self-harm and ending your own life.

Plus, on top of that, there will be demonstrations featuring the incredible K9 officers with the Scarborough Police Department, veterinary service vendors, pet store vendors, and obviously mental health organization vendors as well.

Plus, raffles. And who doesn't love a good raffle?

Saturday, May 18, 2024. 10a-Noon. Memorial Park in Scarborough. Paws for Prevention Walk. It's worth the ride for you and the people in your life that you may not even realize you need to show up for.