Everyone should own a pet. It’s not just about the privilege of being able to curl up in bed with a companion or having a new running buddy, but much more. Not only do pets stand as built-in best friends, but they also prove to make owners, especially teenagers who many times deal with low risk responsibilities, much more responsible as humans.

      Pet owners are expected to feed their pets daily, as well as walk them at least once a week. Pets are living beings; they have to be properly cared for, and they need a human to do so for them. Landon Peterson ‘20 views caring for his dog, Petey, as less of a chore, and more of an enjoyment, saying, “It’s just nice to go on walks with Petey and to take time out of my day to do that.”

     Phoebe Fechtmeyer ‘17 shares that walking her dogs has been helpful for her because she can go outside and get exercise, which is good for her, while taking care of her furry friends. Feeding and walking her pets has helped her become more responsible. She adds, “it’s a task that I have to do. I can’t just ignore them.” Sara McClanahan ‘18 agrees that owning a pet, in her case three dogs, has made her more responsible. She says, “I don’t only have to take care of myself. I have multiple lives to take care of, to feed, to walk, and to love.”

     For the lonely souls who do not own a pet, circumstances are a bit different. Petless Aditya Shekhar ‘18 states, “I don’t think that not owning a pet has made me less responsible, but it has definitely not made me as responsible as I would have been if I were to own pets.” There are no downsides of not owning pets when it comes to responsibility;  owning pets can only help to gain a larger sense of responsibility.

     Owning pets, although seemingly burdensome, has actually made students more responsible humans. Despite walking, feeding, and picking up poop for the animals, owning a pet is a worthwhile and beneficial experience that makes teenagers become more aware of their tasks.

     All in all, the perks outweigh the lows. Peterson sums it up, “I love being able to just lay on the couch with my dog.” Besides, how much of a burden is it to have another best friend to grow up with?