People seem to love blogs where you count things. In a blatant attempt to get more traffic, I’ll bite.

Speaking of biting, I noticed our largest dog Cody standing outside my son’s room this morning, tiny whimpers slipping from his snout. I peered from my bedroom into the hallway and he turned my way.

“He’s not up yet,” I explained. “It’s Saturday. He’s still asleep.”

“I know,” Cody replied in dogspeak. “Can I go in?”

I smiled and opened the door. Both dogs rush in but Sheba immediately exits, satisfied the boy was alive. Cody stood at the side of the bed, peering at the lifeless lump and then back to me. I closed the door and turned to walk away when I heard faintly, “Hey there buddy. Come on up.” Nodding at the sounds of Cody leaping onto the bed and settling in, I returned to my room.

It’s the only bed in the house where the dogs are allowed. While we adore our dogs, the furniture is for humans. The den floor is covered with dogs beds and toys. We give them a whole room to romp because we love our dogs, care for them, and if they’re to be happy with us they need some space too. But for practical reasons we have dog-free zones.

A house filled with long haired dogs means everything gets covered with dog hair. We vacuum twice a week and constantly chase tumbleweed sized tufts from corner to corner. Plus our dogs are medium and large, making them less like a toy/baby/pet. We get down to their level when we want to say hi.

It’s just a maintenance issue. I love my dogs in every other way, though. Greeting them in the morning is a fabulous way to start the day, one snout in each ear telling me hello. A belly rub or two later and we’re all set.

Humans love animals. I mean, we really dig them. Sure, we love to eat them (most everyone) and some love to kill them, but on the whole we as a species have an unwavering devotion to keeping and bestowing love and affection upon animals in a way that few other species will. Why do we do it? What do we get out of bringing them into our homes? I’ve tried to think of five reasons we keep animals in situations outside of food production.

Sense of Power

Humans feel they have dominion over all creation. We’re the top of the food chain, as long as stay out of other carnivore territory. Owning animals can make you feel as if you control the every elements around you. A fierce canine or feline at your feet shows strength.

Sense of Duty

Sometimes we end up with our animals because they were gifts or belonged to a departed loved one. The animal is an outsider, but a sense of duty has you caring for it. Perhaps you hit the animal with your car, or you save birds from oil spills. You may not love these animals as if they were your own, but you feel a sense of duty to care for the earth.

Sense of Loneliness

Cat ladies and toy breed lovers rejoice. Your little friend/kid/pet is the most perfect, most incredible, most empathetic creature on the planet and it totally gets you. It may even be the only thing in the world that truly loves you. Even when I want to be alone, my dog is always welcome. That’s the kind of thing our animals do for us.

Sense of Fear

Who truly controls his life? Animals let us know how important we are by protecting us. We keep a snarling, living gun at the ready to warn of danger and tell you it loves you. Spike is such a good boy.

Sense of Connectedness

We feel more connected to the Earth with our animals, more connected with our past. Dogs and cats have been a part of civilization for over 10,000 years. While not every culture on the planet espouses a love of animals as companions, it’s hard to deny we’ve kept animals close to us as a species. As we drift further away from our connection to the Earth, we’ll need these creatures more than ever.

I know some people hate animals. I get it. I’m not fond of every animal either. Some people can’t stand kids and you can’t argue with them. It’s easy to love something you made. Some don’t like other humans; it’s part of the variety of people. But if you have an animal in your life the world looks a little different. No matter what the animal, you know the feeling when you arrive and it tells you “Welcome home! This is the best thing ever!”

Who doesn’t love being told that?