Except for a short stint living in LA and NYC, I have always been a pet owner. My pets bring me daily joy and comfort, and I cannot imagine life without a dog in the house. But being a pet owner holds a lot of responsibility, including dealing with a little aggravation as well. People preparing to bring an animal into their home need to think hard about all aspects of pet care, because the honeymoon period can be brief and you will have to be able to handle the ups and the downs.

We currently own three dogs and as I ponder over the negatives, it comes to mind that they are really minor in comparison with the positives. I’ll refer to them as “Pet Peeves” and have listed a few that occur in the Cook household.

· On Monday through Friday the dogs are let out at 5 a.m. when the alarm goes off. On weekends, they still wake up at 5 a.m., even without the alarm, and wake us up as well.

· Baxter refuses to “do his business” in the back yard but if is desperate will eliminate inside the house. He needs two walks a day to keep nature moving, first thing in the morning and right after his evening meal rain or shine.

· Rebel is a frog-licker and during spring and summer months is obsessed with the little hoppers.

· Rosie will not come quickly back in the house without much coercion and wrangling… unless you offer her a treat. Then she prances in like she has springs on her feet.

· Baxter likes to hide acorns in his mouth when on a walk and then bring them in the house to eat which leaves sharp shells everywhere for us to step on with bare feet.

· Did I mention that Rebel is a foamy-mouth-frog-licker?

I can’t list the peeves without listing some of the many “Pet Perks.”

· Rosie is the sweetest and calmest dog we’ve every owned and when she meets strangers she loves them quietly without overwhelming them.

· Baxter is the cutest of dogs and is adaptable to all situations. He is still young and playful and keeps Rosie who’s getting a bit long in the tooth, young at heart. Rebel loves Baxter as well and is loving and kind with him.

· Rebel has been a godsend. He was brought into our home after the untimely death of two dogs and from the moment of arrival has fit in perfectly. He is healthy, happy and eager to please.

· All three dogs love us unconditionally and greet us with unbridled joy whenever we return home.

· You may be having a bad day but your dog will always be happy to see you and no matter your state of mind seek to love you.

To me, pets (dogs especially) are a peaceful presence in the home. They bring joy and laughter into daily life, relieve stress and encourage exercise and activity. Dogs provide companionship for those who live alone and socialization for families. The right pet will become a family member and it has even been proven that they can add years to your life. Pets will always come with peeves, but that’s life after all, and with proper training, attention and love, the perks will far out weigh the peeves.