Anyone who has ever loved a pet knows how much joy that relationship can bring. There is increasing scientific evidence that the unique bond we share with our pets dramatically enriches our lives, and improves our physical health and emotional well-being. Personally I hold that keeping a pet yields more benefits than drawbacks.
Firstly, keeping a pet contributes to our general health and well-being. Loving and caring for a pet can help anyone fight depression and loneliness, since the bond with a pet helps you maintain a sense of purpose in life. A daily walk with a dog gets you out into the world on a regular basis and encourages exercise, both of which help counteract feelings of depression. Pets can be a great comfort in times of conflict or grief, since they offer unconditional affections. They often seem to know when we are sad, and they are always attentive, nonjudgemental listeners. Therefore, by reducing our stress, relieving our loneliness and depression, pets can help us prevent heart disease and improve our general well-being. Secondly, keeping a pet can teach children a sense of empathy and responsibility. Taking care of a pet encourages children to care for animals and nurture responsibilities over them. Being praised as a means of aiding the personality development of children, pet-keeping is essential for children's health development.
