Why do you keep pets?

I have a relative who keeps a dog as her pet. She told me when her children left, she need something to do. The dog becomes her substitute, which is fed just as her own child. She makes clothing for the dog, and brings out for walk regularly. It is really hard to understand the feeling with the animal, but it exist, and some pets are so loyal to their masters, a kind of reward for the breeder.

I have many pets of different breeds and species. Goat, dog, cat, birds, rats, chickens etc. They all have their own individual personalities and it is amazing just how well you can understand them and their body language once you get to know each of them. My pets give me a reason to live and plenty of reasons to smile and laugh - especially when they interact with each other. My goat is playful and keeps my lawn mowed. My dog protects me with his life and motivates me to exercise regularly. My cat keeps me warm in winter and is totally devoted to me. My birds whistle happy tunes and love to learn to say new words. My rats are very interactive and love to play and are fun to watch and hold. My chickens provide me with fresh eggs daily and keep spiders and insects away from my home. I also used to have a horse who was not only my best friend, but an environmentally friendly mode of transport, great fun and good exercise. True, I spend a fair amount of time and money on my pets - but that is because I feel such a bond with them that they are like family members. I think being a pet owner is an experience that cannot be described in words and must be experienced to fully appreciate the simple beauty they create in your life. They always know when I'm sad or sick, and seem just as concerned about me as I am about them. I live on a large property and also use my dog to transport drinks, tools, messages etc to others on the property that are further away. I have used my horse to pull out tree stumps etc. Breeding my own chickens has been one of the most rewarding experiences life can offer. After all, who can resist little yellow fluffballs??? :-)