And They Call It Puppy Love

Nearly all—97 percent—pet owners say their dog, cat, bird, or other companion animal makes them smile at least once a day. That’s the consensus from the recent 12th Annual Survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, which queried 1,242 owners who took their pets to affiliated veterinarians.

Of those who responded:

• 86 percent include their pets in holiday celebrations such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween.
• 85 percent believe their pets show concern when they are sick.
• 76 percent believe their pets ease their stress level.
• 73 percent have signed greeting cards “from the dog.”
• 66 percent travel with their pets.
• 58 percent include their pets in family or holiday portraits.
• Almost half have more pictures of their pets than of their spouse or significant other.
• 48 percent have taken up to two days off work to be with their sick pets.
• 46 percent plan all or most of their free time around their pets.
• 43 percent have taken their dogs to work.
• 31 percent say providing exercise for their pets has improved their physical fitness.

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