For many of us, pets have come to occupy critical roles in our lives. The loneliness and i

For many of us, pets have come to occupy critical roles

in our lives. The loneliness and isolation in some lifestyles

can be softened with a pet as a companion, because they are

so faithful and loving.

People living alone say that, although before they dreaded 【M1】______

returning home after work to a lonely house or apartment,

with a dog, it's now a welcome respite. Always faithful,

the dog is awaiting by the door, ready to give that welcome 【M2】______

lick and a greeting with a wagged tail at the end of the 【M3】______

day. And in a world of complex human relationships

resulting in divorce, the blending of families, and pressures to the 【M4】______

working family, the demanding simplicity of the love offered 【M5】______

or required by a pet can be a welcome contrast. According to

Veterinarian Carol Osborne, he runs Vet Smart Care Clinics,

Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, the "pet craze" that's going on with 【M6】______

these days is a reaction in our stressful lives. "The world is 【M7】______

going so fast, and everything's changing," she says. "But

when you come home, no matter what problems you have or

what you look like, no matter you got the job or lost the job,

one constant in our lives that aren't changing is that simple 【M8】______

conditional love that is given to us by our pets," she points 【M9】______

out. Pet owners agree that animals do so many things for us

and ask for nothing in turn but love. 【M10】______

【M1】