For some, pets are a stimulus for exercise, especially if the pet is a dog that likes to romp outdoors. When we were kids, my sister and I dressed up our dogs and used them as characters in plays written and directed by us. Pets everywhere, from turtles to gerbils, have been known to serve as audiences for dramatic productions, not to mention early ventures into dance and music. My sister wrote short stories about her dog, Blackie. I learned to love reading because I could read books about animals.
Pets are interesting to children, an invitation to learn while having fun.
Scan the children's shelves in your local bookstore or library and note how frequently animals are featured in both fiction and nonfiction. Children who live with a pet learn about its characteristics and care. The experience of owning a pet can stimulate a child's interest in other companion animals, wildlife, the environment, and veterinary medicine. A household pet can also be a bridge to the wider world of nature, an important part of childhood. Sunny is a seventyfive-pound mixed breed, and Dandy is a collie of equal size and splendor.