Celebrates the rich and complex bond between people and their pets. Using photographs and quotations, this title explores the range of emotions felt by people and the animals themselves. It also reviews the role of animals in human life revealing how some became sacred symbols and others "workers". It also shows how humans have developed a special affininty for the dogs, cats and other animals that are today's pets over the centuries. The effects of pets on humans, from health benefits such as lowering blood pressure to social advantages such as encouraging greater independence, are also explored, providing an insight into the relationship between pets and the well-being of emotional development of children and adults alike.