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