Column: Pets bring a lot to a home

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Almost everyone will have a pet sometime during their life. Animals bring so much happiness and fun; they really change the overall feeling of a house. No matter what kind of pet, I think all pets are good.

Pets make a house happier; they’re always there waiting for you when you get home, they won’t ever judge you for anything and — my personal favorite — they don’t ever stay mad at you. Their attention span is so short that they would forget if you screamed at them, and turn around and lick you 30 seconds later. That’s something called unconditional love and commitment.

Another thing pets are good at is making people laugh; the little things they do sometimes seem hilarious. Looking back at those moments, they usually aren’t that funny. But in the moment those things can just crack you up for hours. Dogs are especially good in awkward situations. They help you by distracting you from what’s going on. They give you something good to focus on when the situation is rough.

The benefits of having pets are plentiful, and they come and go depending on the day. For instance, a dog will always want to be with you, playing with you or getting loved up by you. Sometimes this is a good thing, but other times when you’re busy it’s just annoying. I know this from experience. My dog Renegade is constantly full of energy and in your face. He just never stops!

Another common household pet, the cat, can do this too. If you own a cat you can probably relate to this next scenario: you’re sitting at the table trying to read something and your cat just won’t allow it. They just walk in like they own the place and nudge your book or sit down on your newspaper. This may seem like it’d be cute to you non-cat owners but trust me it’s not cute. It is very bothersome, actually. It makes it difficult to anything accomplished.

I can only think of one major downside of having a pet: their death, or a sickness they acquire. Picking up on the waste is no fun, but it does nothing to compare with the pain of the death of said pet. It’s always hard to see something you love in pain, or suffering, but that pain doesn’t compare to all the happiness they brought you throughout their life.

I think everyone should have a pet as a child, and all throughout their lives. Pets have added a little something extra to my life and I hope that everyone can experience the same thing I have with all my pets, with their own. It’s really something everyone should experience at least once in their life.

Marissa Opp is a student at Farmington High School. Her column appears every other week.

Tags: opinion, commentaries, farmington