One of the “simple secrets of a happy family” from Parents magazine has this little point:
Get a pet. An animal offers unconditional love, trust, and acceptance. Whether your child has just had a bad day or is facing a real crisis, Rover can make it all seem better. Family members who are under stress are 22 percent more likely to feel hopeful if there’s an animal in their life.
So true, so true… 🙂