September 12, 2012 (Wednesday)
People love pets. In America, folks have more than 78 million dogs and over 84 million cats in their households. Most dog owners (60%) have only one, but most cat owners (52%) have at least two.
People own pets other than cats and dogs. Some have fish, others love birds, and still others like iguanas. Many prefer pigs. And, of course, there are those who own exotic animals, like snakes, and wild animals, which in most cases is against the law and, in any case, probably not wise. Almost every kid had a pet frog for a while when I was growing up. Commonly found in an average neighborhood are hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Pets make their owners feel special. The animals acknowledge the existence of their owners, which is more than can be said for fellow human beings in many crowded urban areas. Cats are independent creatures and sometimes one wonders whether they own the cat or the cat owns them. Dogs can be hyper-affectionate. One could almost say that some dogs actually worship their masters.
Animals have proved to be quite helpful to humans. Horses have done work of all kinds on ranches, farms, and, in earlier days, in transportation. Pet horses, with their size, strength and intelligence are more like friends or partners than pets. Dogs are valuable to hunters and can be indispensable when it comes to rounding up sheep and driving cattle out of the brush. They lead the blind and serve with law enforcement officers. Dogs and horses have proved invaluable in time of war. Pigeons have saved many lives in wartime, carrying crucial messages between the troops. On farms and ranches, cats are welcome in greater numbers because of their ability and desire to keep rodent infestation minimized.
People love their pets. A whopping 76% of dog owners say they have given toys or presents to their pets on Christmas, while 67% of cat owners also say they have given Christmas presents to their pets.
Americans believe pets are good for their owners. The majority (60%) of Americans think pet owners lead more satisfying lives than non-pet owners. Pets in nursing homes have proved to be helpful. The atmosphere in those places are more lively and active. There’s a trend toward pet-therapy programs for the elderly because they work. People need to be needed and pet animals need people.