They are always available when no one else is.

I believe in pets. They have their own agenda. They need care. They draw a person into their world and demand function from their caregivers.

They provide an agenda of happiness where there is a void of same. They are gregarious and joyful. Even their bad habits and bad behavior adds to the challenges of life. They have to be taught and monitored to be sure they are safe and they are behaving like a good child.

A pet is a focus point for parents and children to come together. When they don't have words, they have a life of an animal to talk about and all the shenanigans that goes along with that.

Pets become life long members of a family. They provide recreation where there was none before. Running, jumping, chasing. Play. All those qualities are provided by pets where no other exists. They fill a void and they do it well without prejudice to outcomes.

Just a thought.