For many of us, pets have come to occupy critical roles in our lives. The loneliness and isolation in some lifestyles can be softened with a pet as a companion, because they are so faithful and loving. People living alone say that, although before they dreaded (1) ______ returning home after work to a lonely house or apartment, with a dog, it’s now a welcome respite. Always faithful, the dog is awaiting by the door, ready to give that welcome (2) ______ lick and a greeting with a wagged tail at the end of the (3) ______ day. And in a world of Complex human relationships resulting in divorce, the blending of families, and pressures to the (4) ______ working family, the demanding simplicity of the love offered (5) ______ or required by a pet can be a welcome contrast. According to Veterinarian Carol Osborne, he runs VetSmart Care Clinics, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, the "pet craze" that’s going on with (6) ______ these days is a reaction in our stressful lives. "The world is (7) ______ going so fast, and everything’s changing," she says. "But when you come home, no matter what problems you have or what you look like, no matter you got the job or lost the job, one constant in our lives that aren’t changing is that simple (8) ______ conditional love that is given to us by our pets," she points (9) ______ out. Pet owners agree that animals do so many things for us and ask for nothing in turn but love. (10) ______