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