By Maggie Mae…with Ronni Diamondstein
Three years ago I became someone’s pet, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I love having human beings in my life. I am cared for beyond my wildest dreams–food, shelter and lots of affection. I know having an owner is great and I wondered, “is owning a pet as great for people.” I asked around Chappaqua and beyond, and here are ten reasons why owning a pet, any pet, can be a great thing!
10. Pets are good company. My friend Wilson, a Shi Tzu, says his owner Janet talks to him all the time. A dog or cat has been known to fill an empty nest when kids go off to college.
9. Pets help you get exercise. No matter what the weather, my owner has to get out of the house to walk me. My neighbors, Abby and Sam, two Shi Tzus, go hiking with their owner Stephanie, making her take more breaks from grading papers than she would without them!
8. Pets are good for your health. Studies have shown that having a pet in your life can lower blood pressure. From the purring of a cat to watching fish in a fish tank, the effect of animals is very calming.
7. Pets are perennial playmates. My cat cousins Bella and Mittens, two Abyssinians, are permanent play dates for their only–child owner Sophia. For teens, stingy with hugs for their parents, the pet is the perfect object of affection for cuddling.
6. A pet can teach responsibility. Not only dogs and cats, but rabbits, gerbils, birds and fish can give young children a sense of accomplishment by feeding, walking, or cleaning out a cage or litter box. Many teenagers feel that taking care of their family pets is good preparation for parenthood in the future.
5. You can do a good deed and save a life if you rescue a cat or dog from a shelter.
4. A pet is a great way to meet people. My owner, for one, has met more people in town thanks to walking me. People are friendlier if I am with her.
3. Pets are entertaining. Hermione, an American short hair cat dazzles her family by diving into empty bags and chasing her catnip. Rocky, a Black Lab, makes his owner Ethan, laugh. When Ethan calls, “Clean up,” Rocky comes running to lick up spills and crumbs. He is no dirty dog!
2. Pets can take care of your
family.
My friend Bailey, a Pomeranian, patrols his yard and house always on the lookout for wrong doing. He is very protective and takes his job seriously, policing the children in the family by barking if they are horsing around. Rocky also serves as a watch dog and barks viciously and growls when he hears someone at the door. Of course, when the door is open, he greets a friend or stranger with kisses and a wagging tail.
1. And hands down, the best reason of all, especially for dogs like me, is pure and simple: love, unconditionally!
Contact Maggie Mae Pup Reporter at maggiemae10514@gmail.com
Maggie Mae lives in Chappaqua with her adoring owner Ronni Diamondstein, who, when she isn’t walking Maggie is a freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.
Some Body says
Cool making the dog speak its mind