Welcome pet lovers.
If you’re reading this with a bundle of fur in your lap or a cold, wet noise at your feet, then you’re one of 71 million American households that have a dog or cat. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), that’s about 75 million dogs and 88 million cats living in American homes. (Yes, cats surpassed dogs as man’s best friend a few years ago.)
Today, pets are truly a part of the family. We share our homes, our beds, sometimes our food, and most certainly our salaries with them. On average, the APPMA says it costs about $1,100 a year to care for a dog and about $625 to care for a cat, which explains why, with two dogs and two cats of my own, I don’t go out to eat more often. But it’s so hard to pass up the squeaky stuffed animals when I know my dogs will receive so much joy in their destruction.
Studies show that a good relationship with a pet is a far better prescription for maintaining good health than an apple a day. Pets can ward off a second heart attack, reduce blood pressure, and calm anxiety. Their unconditional love eases loneliness and depression. In return for these health benefits, we agree to sift litter boxes, pick up poop, spend gobs of money on toys and treats, groom them, and roll our clothes--and our furniture--in adhesive tape, so that we’re not continually covered in pet hair, even though we still usually are.
Our pets make us laugh. They chase shadows, crumpled paper, and even their tails. They drop toys at our feet begging to play. They roll joyfully in a smelly spot on the lawn and probably wonder why we have to ruin all their fun by giving them a guava-scented bath.
You probably agree that pets seem to understand us far better than we understand them. I still don’t know exactly what my dog wants when he chases his tail around in circles and then nudges me with his nose. Perhaps he’s saying, “Your turn.” But he always knows when I just need him to sit close by.
All relationships deserve attention. As the Pet Examiner, I will explore the intriguing relationships people share with their pets. I will cover pet behavior and care, offer insight into understanding our pets better, and offer commentary on the latest news impacting pets and their families. My goal is to offer you insights into maintaining a mutually satisfying relationship with your pet, so that you and your pet can live together -- happily ever after.
There will be times when you will disagree with me—there is always more than one way to do anything. So I hope you’ll share your stories, experiences, and pet tips too, so that together we can learn how to better share our lives with our animal friends.
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