Life is a mesmerizing gift, but it's also a complex blur we are all stumbling through without a handbook. Why stumble alone? It's better to bump into walls with friends by your side...specifically the furry, scaly, or feathery kind! Here are three good reasons that you, at some point in your life, should invest in a pet.

1. They're a great way to relieve stress

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Whether you are a student or not, trials and tribulations are going to bog you down at least sometimes. That's just how it goes. Talking to other humans is a great way to cope, of course, but sometimes that just doesn't cut it. Sitting alone staring at a wall can be exhausting if your thoughts are too loud. Luckily, if you have a pet, they will be right there to provide you with comfort. Did you go on an unsuccessful date? Fluffy is going to come purr on your lap. Is your head spinning from today's lecture? Fido loves to lick your cheek and get a belly rub. They haven't stocked your favorite chips at the supermarket? Liz will sit on your shoulder and crawl from arm to arm. And the best part is, they will be one hundred percent supportive of whatever you're going through! Sure, maybe they don't understand the magnitude of the situation, but come on. How could you not crack a smile when your cockatiel starts dancing up a storm to heavy metal?

2. They give you something to take care of

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Pet ownership is still a big responsibility but in the best way possible. It's fulfilling to have a little nugget to nurture! You get to see a tiny personality develop and grow without the commitment of rearing a human baby. Raising another life changes you a bit, providing a new perspective. It's not just you against the world anymore. You now have something to feed, brush, pet, snuggle and love that depends on you at least eighty percent of the time. A pet isn't only there to serve you. If they fall ill, you nurse them back to health. If they get hurt, you help heal their wounds. If they need attention, you leave your arms wide open. What I'm trying to say is, you'll broaden your compassion capacity and become a more well-rounded individual when you care for an animal. It's an eye-opening experience!

3. They provide unique companionship

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They say dogs are man's best friend. However, I find that saying to be true for most animals. All kinds of people live on this earth and all those people enjoy different sorts of company. Luckily, pets are just as diverse as the human population. There are distinct personality traits displayed by all sorts of animals just waiting to be adopted. Some are social butterflies, others are more subdued. Some are early birds, others are night owls. Some love to be babied, others are relatively self-sufficient. The possibilities are virtually endless! Whether you're more likely to be on the couch watching a movie or out on the town, when you do come home, you'll always have the perfect companion there with you.

To conclude, having a pet is worthwhile in many different ways. You shape them, they shape you and a life gets a little brighter. If you're willing to put in the effort to keep an animal happy and healthy, you'll always go through life with a best friend!