So why do we love our pets so much? Let me answer as a dog owner, even though this list may attest to cats, birds, hamsters, snakes, horse, chickens or whatever other pet an owner may share his or her life with.
'How is Sophie?' a neighbor asked the other day, inquiring about our endearing Yellow Lab. Sophie, with her lively personality and satanic eyes (she had Horner's syndrome), was an important member of our family for a long time. We loved her. We lost her. And now life is pretty awesome.
Somehow, my fur-baby can always gets me to smile, no matter how miserable or stressed I feel. I am not alone. It turns out that all pets, not just therapy pets, can help your mind, body, and spirit. Here are a dozen reasons why.
The behavior of the companion animals we share our lives with is at times fascinating, frequently entertaining, and sometimes downright puzzling. Here are a few examples of how the furry love of your life shows affection.
As a dog trainer, I relish pre-adoptions consultations -- helping people consider the right dog for their lifestyle and preparing their household for the new addition. Here are my top five tips.
For many dog guardians, our relationships with our dogs can be a taste of heaven. Except when the cuties start having surprising behavior that isn't so cute. Dogs are known to be stress reducers; however, for many people, their dog's behavior can be a huge source of stress.
WASHINGTON -- The United States may be the most dog-loving country in the world, but you wouldn't know it in the nation's capital. Only 21.9 percen...
Although I would like to believe that my dogs are miraculous, the fact is that any dog can have this effect on people. There is something calming and centering about connecting with an animal.
The idea that humans have an innate ability to understand dog barks should probably come as no surprise. After all, wolves and dogs have figured prominently in the lives of men, women and children since the Stone Age.
I'm a sports person. I'm a people person. I am not a dog person.
Yesterday I was discussing with a conscientious dog owner her pet's diet. It instantly became clear to me that food labeling on pet's food can be confusing and potentially misleading.
I never meant to adopt two cats instead of one, much less to fall in love with a cat that thinks he's a dog. But sometimes life surprises you. Or, in cat terms, sometimes life is a ball of yarn that unwinds into unexpected pleasures.
Well, let me tell you, if you've never owned a pet before you'd be surprised. Disgusting becomes endearing. Sloppy face baths become "kisses." And the annoyances... ok, they're still annoying. But there's one thing you always get: completely unconditional love.
A new study provides even more evidence that man's best friend is good for your health -- this time, the findings suggest heart-healthy benefits of pe...
It's well known that dogs are "man's best friend" -- and now we have science to prove it. The emotional benefits of pet ownership can be equal to t...
I'm way too old for this. Nobody gets his first pet in his sixth decade. Then again, I'd always known pretty much everything I needed to know about w...
Pets bring a special companionship and joy to the lives of their owners. But our furry, four-legged friends can offer even more boons, keeping us active and involved in the world and boosting our health.
Last week the media headlines warned us that we shouldn't sleep with our pets, because doing so could make us sick. This week, the review that inspired these headlines is finally out.
The title of this post comes from a line in "Legally Blonde" which is a guilty pleasure of mine. Custody of a pet can be as contentious as custod...
There is an old and wise saying: The best things in life are free. Nothing epitomized that better than my dog, Lizzie. She cost nothing, but she was priceless.
The Humane Society of Harrisburg seized Baron the collie from Miles Thomas' ventilated car, when the 73-year-old was homeless, just under a year ago. ...
