10 Things Only Your Pet Can Do For You

- Diane Pomerance Ph.D.

At a time when more American households have pets than ever before
and are spending more on their pets than at any time in history, we
can only speculate as to why consumers are spending approximately
$43 billion per year on care, accessories, toys, garments, jewelry
(yes, jewelry!), grooming, pet sitters, boarding and daycare as well
as travel, kennels, crates, bowls, food, collars and leashes, and
other pet "necessities", we may wonder why we care about our pets so
dearly and why we are willing to spend so much on them - especially
in any economy that offers us anything but an optimistic outlook.

For so many of us, our pets are beloved family members - loyal,
steadfast and true who provide us with unconditional love and
loyalty - who are nonjudgmental and offer us everything they have
to give - unlimited affection and attention and the desire to share
our joys and sorrow, failures and successes - and above all, to be
there for us regardless of our religion, politics, position, attire,
appearance, eccentricities, educational background and socioeconomic
status.

There are 10 things only a beloved pet can do for us:

1). Love us unconditionally

2). Offer us unconditional loyalty

3). Refrain from judging us

4). Teach us to "live in the moment"

5). Allow us to be genuinely who we are without pretense,
affectation or façade

6). Offer empathy

7). Provide comfort and support

8). Forgive us no matter what

9). Accept us just as we are

10). Teach us gratitude and humility

Our animal companions are truly our friends, teachers and guides.
Some of our most joyous experiences and memorable moments are spent
with these friends. Just by spending time with and observing them,
we can learn so many of life's simplest yet profound lessons. We
simply need to change our perspective and remind ourselves of this
fact.

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Diane Pomerance received her Ph.D. in Communications in 1979 from
the University of Michigan, and has written the highly acclaimed
children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies" which
teaches children how to cope with and recover from the loss of a
beloved companion animal as well as those inevitable losses in life.
She is also the author of "Animal Companions: Your Friends,
Teachers & Guides", "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives &
Our World.", Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions",
"Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion", and her
most recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion
for You." Dr. Pomerance counsels those mourning the loss of a beloved
companion animal. As a writer, teacher, counselor and animal lover,
she recognizes that the loss of a pet can be devastating to adults
as well as children. For over 25 years, she has also worked in a
wide variety of capacities in the entertainment industry both in New
York and Los Angeles, including production work with such programs
as NBC's Sports shows "NFL

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