10 Reasons You Need a Pet

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I don't feel safe without a large dog and I didn't feel loved until I got dogs again when my Sammie died. I am alone a lot and have had my home burglarized and I also fear walking, which I must do.
Dogs can give you so much happiness and love and you meet other dog lovers while out with them. I sleep better. No more attempted break-ins since I was blessed with pit bulls. If one is out with me, there is still one to guard my home.
My anxiety comes and goes and will eventually go away but when I cannot imagine being on the street vulnerable, I take my Bubby with me. The sight of him scares most would be pan-handlers or men looking for a woman away which is fine with me.
He needs to be professionally trained but just his love and his protective attitude help me immensely.

Bunny of FL 11:20PM June 12, 2010

It would be more accurate if it was titled, "10 Reasons You Need a Dog" because you made no mention of the many other household pets that can provide all of the same features.
p.s. Here's the AVMA link to their stats
http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/ownership.asp

Jean of NC 4:02PM June 08, 2010

I'm 77 and sort of retired (I work at home doing creative projects for a publisher), and I have an aging Westie. I actually found him at the dog pound years ago and he was approximately 4 then, so we have been aging together. He came with his own set of habits already in place, so we more or less adjusted to each other's habits. Westies don't shed; he doesn't have doggy breath or gas, and most of the time he is a polite and considerate companion, disagreeable only when he isn't feeling well.
He is very good for me in that I feel obliged to get out and walk, something I'd be inclined to put off if alone. I take him with me in the car when I do errands because he likes to ride and is a perfect gentleman in the car. Sits quietly in the passenger seat, observes how I drive, looks out the window, and when we go through a drive-thru, always looks especially cute to get a 'treat'.
I tend to be a night-owl and stay up all hours, but he feels 2 AM is late enough and will start bugging me about then, very persistantly, so I have to give up and turn in. He is perfectly happy to sleep in until 9 or 10. And he always takes a toy to bed, even now in his old age. That's one of his signals that it is time for bed; he picks a toy and shows it to me. From the day I got him, he was right up on the bed with me and there was no putting him in his own bed on the floor. So we sleep side-by-side.
He is quite intelligent and understands most simple conversation. If I tell him, 'Go look in your bowl', he will get up and walk to the kitchen to check it out for food. And he is not at all 'yappy', barking only at squirrels out the window, or the occasional unexpected outdoor sound. He's more apt to 'talk' out the window, making a series of little growls and word sounds when a cat walks by or he sees some other tresspasser. This always makes me smile. In fact, he can make me smile most days and often he seems to smile back.
He is my best and most constant friend. I can't imagine life without him.

marilyn henry of IN 3:23PM May 30, 2010

My husband and I are about to move into an apartment that requires a doctors not explaining why we need a pet. He works second shift, leaving me home alone quite often. I'm diabetic, is that a reason enough to justify having a dog in the house?

Jessica of TN 5:14PM May 27, 2010

I have six days and no I haven't retired yet,but pretty close to it.We use to travel with 3-4 dogs untill we rescued 2 more. We have a traveling 5th wheel that just sits in our year, but we drive to some festivals in our area on certain week ends. Our dogs mean too much to us to leave them or to shelter them for even a week end. We have 2 Pugs, 2 Japenese Chins and two mixed. They are our children and we wouldn't feel confortable leaving them be-
hind. Happy traveling what ever you decide.

Linda Tuggle of AR 7:11PM May 25, 2010

can having a pet as companion be considered as a medical reason? can i get my doctor to write it as need to have my pet living with me at a place where prohibited?

angela johnson of GA 1:30PM May 25, 2010

Cats are clean, quiet (for the most part), very loving and loyal, bond deeply to their human family members, small, aesthetically pleasing, and make the perfect companions for people of any age group. Cats are the companion of choice worldwide, with approximately 10 million more cats in domestic homes than the next most popular, dogs. Cats do not require bathing, walking, or training, are far cleaner and quieter, and make far better companions than dogs. And adult cats, whose personalities and traits are already established, make wonderful companions for people who desire a stable, serene lifestyle and a loving, loyal friend. Adopting from local rescues and sanctuaries and "shelters" is the best choice, and for those who insist on "purebred", there are many in shelters and breed rescues. You'll be happy for life with a sweet cat -- or more than one -- in your home and life.

J Petzak of CA 1:47PM May 23, 2010

My husband just retired and we are seriously thinking of doing alot of traveling while we still can. We are concerned about what to do with our Pug---should we take him with us or board him? Is it a inconvenience traveling by car with our dog long distances? What about when you have to stop to eat, do you leave him in your car? If anyone has any suggestions, they would be truly appreciated. We love our dog but need guidance!

Lori of NY 3:49PM May 16, 2010

I was disappointed to see that the Scotty Terrier didn't make the Dog List. My wife and got Fallon from a dog rescue shelter. She has been part of the family for about ten years now. She is the best pet we have ever had. When we first got her we bought her a doggie bed and after two weeks she started sleeping in our bed. She is the most loving dog a person could have. We talk to her all the time and she never talks back. She loves to ride in the car and we have taken her with us on Sunday rides. The payback from her far out weighs the cost of the occasional trip to the vets. She barks when strangers come to the house, which is a g good thing. We feel safer knowing that she would alert us if an intruder got into the house. She is very protective and one time the UPS guy stuck his hand inside the door and he almost lost a couple of fingers(he should have known better since Fallon was barking like crazy). Enough said!

Doug Beaudry of VA 7:39AM May 09, 2010