Dogs are among the earliest animals domesticated by man. Their primitive version helped early hunters chase their prey, guard them against intruders and helped carry their belongings. Man in return provide food and care to these animals and let them share the warmth of their open fire. Man and dog have remained loyal and affectionate companions through the centuries.

No other domesticated animal has probably helped man more than the dog. A sheep dog not only herds the sheep but also protects them from attacks by wild animals. Cattle hounds aid hunters in capturing game. Guard dogs protect property by discouraging burglars and other intruders from entering homes, warehouses and factories. Specific dog breeds are trained to be guards for the blind, carry messages and accompany soldiers while on watch. Some are trained to attack the enemy.

Cats are small, agile mammals that are commonly raised as household pets. They are also kept to hunt mice, rats and other vermin that infest farms, ships, warehouses and storage areas. Many cats are bred and raised for exhibition in shows.

The common household pet cat does not conform to any standards. Its size, weight and body form varies greatly. Their colors can range from any wide variety of solid colors or any color combination.

Simple and attractive home aquariums are relatively easy to set-up. Amateurs can start with fresh water aquariums since maintaining salt water condition for marine fish is very difficult. Suitable starter fishes include guppies, mollies, swordtails, garfishes and other inexpensive, easy-to-care fishes. Expensive and exotic fishes can be purchased after considerable experience has been achieved.

Pet ownership is a very enriching and valuable experience. We should be just willing to explore its many aspects so that it becomes beneficial to both human and animal. History has been witness to the different levels of owner and pet relationships and how some has literally changed the course of their lives because of it.

I share my thoughts, feelings and lessons in the way I know fellow pet lovers would understand and appreciate. This is an endeavor which I hope would be long-lasting and well-serving with regards to its relevancy. I believe that we can all learn much more through this.

My mother used to say "you can always trust a person who has animal hair on them". As a kid, I often pondered what this statement means. Are people who care for animals more trustworthy? Kinder? Gentler?

Well, a recent scientific study says that people who own pets are less stressed. Maybe not more trustworthy, but less stress WOULD indicate greater wellness. An idea worth considering.

The study examined the cardiovascular reactivity when exposed to psychological stress of 240 married couples, half of whom owned a pet. The researchers exposed the people to stressful situations (mental arithmetic problems and stuff like that) in a variety of social support conditions: alone, with pet or friend (friend present for non-pet owners), with spouse, with spouse and pet/friend. They found that the people with the pets had much lower rise in heart rate under such conditions; better than with their spouse or friends.

This evidence the healing help pets provide has been anecdotal for years. Hospitals, retirement homes and other caring facilities have used pets to help promote wellness with a lot of success. So it's no surprise, especially where children are involved.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have conducted my own experiment by observing how the people in my family and visitors to my home relate to my cat and, of course how my cat relates to them.

My cat is a rather funny looking, very playful and affectionate youngish cat named Tony. He is a "hairless" breed, called Sphinx.

Tony has many jobs. One is to help me to write by sitting on my lap and purring loudly. He also reminds me to take breaks by standing up and walking on the computer keyboard! I digress.

One observation that is true for all unknowing participants in my "experiment": everyone that enters my house, friends, family members and even the FedX guy, upon seeing Tony, their face changes and becomes somehow softer. It's as if just seeing the cat makes them less stressed. Even the little girl who is very frightened of cats loves to watch the cat from a distance.

My partner, a high energy executive of a multi-national company, is of particular interest to this study. When he arrives home after work or travel, his body language is "Mr. corporate leader". After greeting and kissing his people family members, he looks a bit more relaxed. But it's after he picks up Tony and strokes him (usually followed by giving him some cat food), that he appears to really relax and turn off from work.

Last week, I had a friend over who says she doesn't like cats. Later I found them on the couch, and my friend said "this cat really feels nice to touch". Her face and Tony's could be best described as "content". Of course the cat had a very special extremely loud purr just for her.

So, the conclusions drawn from my very subjective experiment is that our pets really enrich our lives. It would be safe to speculate that, yes pets reduce stress levels in their owners. If you have a pet yourself, you probably agree!

Try your own experiment.... Ask your friends and coworkers about their pets and soak up the good feelings they radiate. Enjoy.