Dogs are not referred to as “man’s best friend“ for no reason. Dogs, cats, hamsters and fish, are our furry (or scaly) companions that stick with us through thick and thin, entertain us when we’re bored, and can protect us from danger. 72% of students asked in a poll reported that they have one dog, 18% of students said they had more than one dog, and one student noted that she had 4 cats. But why do so many students have pets? They have amazingingly cute faces to look at, but they also serve a deeper purpose than that; keeping us happy.

Caitlin Fauske (‘26) noted that the time she spends with her dog either “taking her on walks, cuddling her, or bringing her to the park, brings [her] joy.” Ella Neill (‘27) and Caitlin both say that taking care of their dogs is a fun activity for them, and they don’t see it as another chore or a burden to deal with. They enjoy hanging out with their dogs in their free time and after school as a break. Caitlin also says that she feels “calm and relaxed” when she interacts with her dog, making the experience even more enjoyable. When it comes to starting homework or studying, Caitlin and Ella have different approaches to mixing their animal and study life. Caitlin enjoys having her dog in the room with her when she is studying because she likes to “have someone to keep [her] company,” whereas Ella can’t have her dog with her because “he’s too distracting.” 

Despite the fact that we might have to limit our time with our pets, the time we do spend with our pets is very telling; we don’t treat them just like pets, but as people. We talk to them, spoil them with treats, give them toys, and sometimes we even dress them up. Caitlin comments that her favorite part of having a pet is that she gets to “have another friend.” Ella says that she gets to “be his whole world, and impact it daily,” showing that having a pet is something more than just having a companion, but being able to be a part of someone’s whole life, and feeling a sense of accomplishment when you can see your friend happy.