Do you have a pet?

I was reading today about the benefits of children keeping pets, something I was never allowed to do.

One artical I found was of interest. The American Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicate the following positive attributes of having pets as a child.

Taking care of a pet can help children develop social skills.

• Children raised with pets show many benefits.
  Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others.
• A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.
• Pets can serve different purposes for children:
• They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts--children often talk to their pets, like they do their stuffed animals.
• They provide lessons about life; reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death, and bereavement.
• They can help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them.
• They provide a connection to nature.
• They can teach respect for other living things.

Other physical and emotional needs fulfilled by pet ownership include:

• Physical activity
• Comfort contact
• Love, loyalty, and affection
• Experience with loss if a pet is lost or dies.

So do you have a pet?
We have a cat and 4 guineapigs.