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 Vet Smart 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) ______