by Jennifer Wagner

Created on: February 09, 2009

A friend of mine committed suicide last week. It's been a rough time for me, and my emotions have been very raw. Yesterday I laid on the couch, and began crying so hard that it hurt. My face was wet with tears, my body was shaking, and I felt so lost and alone. And then....my Bassett Hound, Max, jumped up on the couch, pushed his way up to my face and licked away the tears. He plopped down beside me, and started whimpering and crying because he sensed that I was hurting. He placed his paw on my shoulder and nudged me with his big nose. I couldn't help but smile. In a time where I was hurting so badly, literally aching from a broken heart, my Bassett Hound was able to make me smile. And he did it without saying a single word.

It is very rare in this life to find someone that will love you unconditionally. People come and go, they get tired of us or need "their space". But not our pets. Our pets will love us until the day they die, and ask nothing in return for the love that they give. Pets ABSOLUTELY relieve the stress that life brings. Just petting an animal relieves tension. In fact, it's been shown that petting an animal reduces heart rate and can reduce blood pressure.

Dog owners have the benefit of feeling safe and secure by the presence of their pet, as well. Dogs are excellent at alerting their owner when someone comes to the door, or if they hear something out of the ordinary. Knowing that you have this added protection can be a great stress reliever. Especially if you live alone.

Of course, there is work involved with owning a pet. However, like children, most of the hardwork is found in the early years. Once an animal has been housebroken, and had some minor behavioral training, the daily work is fairly minimal. If you don't have much time to spend with your pet, a cat may be the best option. Cats take care of themselves, require no training, and available at very reasonable rates. Sometimes even FREE! And it feels so good to come home and have them waiting for you.

The constant companionship of a pet is priceless. If you gain weight, your pet will love you. If you don't get that promotion, your pet wont care. If you get a bad haircut, your pet wont laugh at you. Your pet will love you no matter how much money you make, no matter what kind of car you drive, or even if you get upset with it. A pet will always be there for you, and that, in itself, is a wonderful feeling.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Wagner.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.