A Good Dog, However, Might Be Even Better

Phyllis Tarrant died in 2011 at age 102. Husband
Ralph passed in 2013 at 110 (Telegraph 2008 photo)

Being married, rather than living alone, has generally been thought to be better for one's health because of studies documenting superior longevity, quality of life, etc. for marrieds. It turns out that scientists were not designing the research properly: [bold added]

two new studies have found something that apparently is at least as good for people and sometimes even better: cohabitation [snip].

researchers split up the population they were researching by age and gender, looking at men and women over and under the age of 45. They found that above age 45, people of both sexes who were living with someone but not married experienced a more positive effect on their health than those who were married.

So, for health's sake don't get married, get a roommate. Comments:
1) There are a lot of married people out there nodding their heads.
2) SSM: yes, gays really should have the right to be as unhappy and unhealthy as everyone else.
3) Single parents, don't be in such a hurry to kick your millennial out of the basement. You may be mistaken about his effect on your blood pressure.