A couple of years ago, I wrote a column, and later a book titled “Why Do People Have Pets?” This column asks why do pets have-need people from the POV of the pet.

Not surprisingly, pets have people for some of the same reasons people have pets. Companionship, love, friendship, and understanding come to mind. However, pets need people for reasons that are not in common, such as shelter, food, protection, water, medical needs and attention, maintenance for their body, etc. A pet cat or pet dog depends on its owners to provide all of these necessities and their entire lives. Unlike a child that grows up and learns to drive and work at age 16, a 16-year-old dog or cat still needs the same care and commitment from its owner as it did when they were 3-months old. Pets only age physically, not cognitively.