| Scott had to turn his head away while the needle | | | | family." |
| penetrated; with a sobering voice, he kept saying, | | | | Another survey conducted by the APPMA, |
| "I am sorry; I am so sorry." As soon as he | | | | revealed 57% would prefer their pet as their only |
| returned home from the vet, this six-foot-two-tall | | | | companion if they were stranded on a desert |
| man collapsed into tears after putting Jackie, his | | | | island. It is not uncommon for a pet owner to call |
| kitty cat to sleep. | | | | back home and leave messages on the answering |
| Jackie had not cleaned himself or eaten for two | | | | machine while they are away, or saying "I love |
| days. Scott noticed that he had a hair ball in his | | | | you" to their pets several times a day. |
| mouth, as he looked closer, he found out it was | | | | Some pet owners are willing to reach deep down |
| blood. After that he rushed Jackie to the vet and | | | | into their pocket to have a birthday party for |
| discovered Jackie had cancer under his tongue. | | | | their pets; others will send their pet for a |
| There was not much Scott could do except put | | | | massage session. To some, these behaviors may |
| him to sleep. | | | | seem "queer" and some even wonder why |
| Linda just got back home, after saying a quick hi | | | | people would do so much for their pets. |
| to Scott, she started to look for Jackie, "Come | | | | The reality |
| on baby, Mommy is home, where are you | | | | Pets offer far more than return, they greet us at |
| Jackie?" Well...she cried four days after she was | | | | our ups and downs, waiting faithfully behind that |
| told that Jackie was put to sleep. | | | | closed door day in and day out. Unfortunately, |
| It was a true story; the reason I brought this up | | | | their love for us can't even earn them a |
| is because often times, we take relationships for | | | | permanent space in our heart. According to The |
| granted and fail to cherish what we have until it is | | | | Human Society of the United States (HSUS), 6-8 |
| too late. | | | | million of our furry friends end up in shelters, and |
| Love and figures | | | | about 50% of them are euthanized. As one of |
| Love is a universal language. It is perhaps one of | | | | the richest and so-called-animal loving nation, we |
| the most popular words we use on a daily basis, | | | | really need to look at statistics seriously. |
| each day there are over 20,000[1] people | | | | Learn to love |
| searching for love. According to the U.S. Census | | | | Each day some are loosing their loves, while many |
| Bureau, if you are in your 20's and you are single | | | | are looking for new love all in the wrong places. |
| male, then you are more likely to look for love. | | | | Single ads are flowing just about everywhere and |
| While more and more people say I do at a later | | | | anywhere, how many of us have realized and |
| age[2], pet ownership is increasing. A recent | | | | cherish our best friend(s) - the inspiring, |
| survey conducted by the American Pet Products | | | | fascinating, and more importantly, adorable friend |
| Manufacturers Association (APPMA), in 1988, the | | | | who providing nothing but unconditional love. |
| first year survey was conducted, 56% of U.S. | | | | Love is a lesson and a long time commitment. |
| households own a pet compared to the 63% | | | | Learn to love your best friend(s) with all your |
| present day." | | | | heart and with devotion because to them, the |
| Lasting Bonds | | | | bond between you and him/her can be best |
| The simple truth is that Americans live far more | | | | describes as "for richer, for poorer, in sickness, |
| than subsistent; we often lost the touch of our | | | | and in health, to love and until death do us apart." |
| inner self. In this nothing is built to last era, the | | | | Footnotes: |
| human-pet bond relationship becomes stronger in | | | | [1] Figure obtained from the Web CEO. |
| Americans' lives than many realize. More empty | | | | [2] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, "the |
| nesters, young couples or single professionals are | | | | proportion of women 20 to 24 years old who had |
| substituting children with a pet. | | | | never married more than doubled between 1970 |
| A recent survey conducted by the American | | | | and 2003 - from 36 percent to 75 percent. |
| Veterinary Medical Association, "The strong | | | | Changes were also dramatic for men - the |
| growth in the industry demonstrates what an | | | | corresponding rate for men in this age group |
| important role pets are playing in the lives of | | | | increased from 55 percent to 86 percent. |
| Americans...they have become a part of the | | | | |