Does Your Pet Make You Happier than Your Friends?

We have all heard that a dog is man's best friend but do they really bring you more happiness than your human friends? In a recent Nielson survey, 400 pet owners were asked to rank the joy that their critters brought to their lives as compared to cars, careers and even their sex lives.

No parent likes to work overtime and cause his or her child to become a latch key offspring. The same holds true for the furry member of the family. 31 % of the respondents said that they would turn down overtime so they could get home and be with their pet. A sick pooch caused 24% of the owners to stay home.

When asked to rank the amount of joy a variety of items brought to their lives, a car ranked 5.88, on a scale of 1 to 10, a person's sex life was 7.35, friends were 8.23, and pets came is close second to family with a "joy ranking" of 8.55 as compared to 9.35.

Why are pets so important to us? They fill various needs, whether it be a companion to exercise with, someone to talk to when there is no one else around, unconditional love or just a friendly face to come home to after a long day at work. A pet doesn't ask much in return, a nutritious meal, mental stimulation, a kind word and loving interaction and proper medical care. Have you showed your pet you care today? Give it a hug. Make an appointment to see your veterinarian if it has been over a year because it is "Your Pet…Health Matters."