Aren’t pets a lot of extra work? They make messes, cost money for food and treats and vet bills, leave hair in the house and dig things up in the garden, so why bother? I can only answer that for myself. Maybe it’s a holdover from my childhood when my family had chickens, at least one dog and one cat, plus the odd bird, gerbil, etc. My grandmother had five acres on which she raised chickens and had a milk cow – those animals helped feed the family.

When all of us left home, my mother got a big dog and several cats, and she talked to them like they were her children. It was really interesting, and we knew they filled a void for her, and they made her feel needed. It seems to be a common human need – to care for others and to have someone to love.

When my children were little, we got a collie dog when my husband and I divorced. Having a big dog gave the children and me something to hug besides each other. We could cry into the dog’s fur and the response was always love in return. Our collie was comforting, and gave us something to love and care for, and helped to fill the void of not having a father and husband. It also helped the girls to learn responsibility and caring for others. Animals need to be looked after daily just like we do, and when kids learn to care for others outside of themselves, it is the beginning of being a compassionate and caring friend and neighbour. When we moved to an old farmhouse west of Edmonton, we got another collie, and we had horses, chickens, and baby calves too.

So the answer to my own question, is that we have pets because they fill a need we humans seem to have, to share our lives with other living beings. We enjoy taking care of them, and they enjoy our company.

Now that my children are grown and on their own, I have cats and two big dogs because they are good company, and they help me to feel safe. I got all of them from shelters after they were discarded by former owners. They need me to feed, love, and walk them, and I need them too.

For me, they help fill the void left by children who no longer need me to take care of them. Since I live alone, it is nice to have a little furry friend notice that I am up, and they come purring, wanting to share my morning. If I didn’t have those two faces at the door, wagging and waiting for me to walk them, I wouldn’t get out there in all kinds of weather to walk the dogs, so they keep me exercising. I know I’d find a reason to “do it later” or not do it at all.

So the answer to my own question, is that we have pets because they fill a need we humans seem to have, to share our lives with other living beings. We enjoy taking care of them, and they enjoy our company. Research has shown that petting a dog or cat helps keep seniors healthy longer. That’s why many dogs are trained to assist humans and are also used as therapy dogs. It’s a mutual relationship that transfers caring feelings and skills into being good neighbours, caring parents, compassionate friends, and valuable community members.

Of course, we also have the responsibility to keep our pets healthy, to walk them and clean up after them, and to train them not to bark so they and we are good neighbours.

So here’s to pet lovers, and the pets they adore.

Joanne lives in McCauley with her pets.