There have been so many times that I've come home from school after a bad day, gone to the barn, and unloaded all of my problems onto my horse. No matter what I'd tell her, how shocking or embarrassing or funny my tales might be, she'd always just stand there, in a silent, understanding, nonjudgmental manner. Dogs are probably the next best thing, although they tend to be noisier than their equine counterparts. There's nothing as soothing as the warmth of a dozing Dachshund curled up on your feet or belly. Besides all of the wholesome, feel-good aspects of pet ownership, there ARE some little life lessons that these furballs can teach.
Responsibility is a biggie.
I learned this one at a very young age. After flushing innumerable guppies and goldfish, I learned that if you don't feed something, it dies. I also learned that if you don't exercise your animals, they tend to have a lot of pent-up energy. That's really not a good thing, especially when they expel that energy by chewing up your history book. This one was reinforced with my last boyfriend.