A pet is just what the vet ordered

More than 30 per cent of New Zealanders agree: their pet communicates its feelings better than their partner.
In a recent survey conducted by pet care and nutrition provider Purina, more than 70 per cent of respondents thought pets had human-like emotions, indicating that the relationships between pets and their human owners appear intricate and more complex than was previously thought.
The survey examined many facets of pets as a part of family life and the unique bond they share with their owners.
The majority of respondents said pets boosted their self-esteem.
It was also evident that pets can offer a sense of safety, warmth and love.
In reply to pets boosting self-esteem, one female respondent said it was because her pet didn't "care how she looked". Mostly, people surveyed said it was the "unconditional love" that came from pets that helped improve how they felt about themselves.
Almost half of the women surveyed said their pets communicated its feelings better than their partner did - this is in comparison to only 20 per cent of men.
Purina's pet care adviser Shivaun Statham says: "Pets can often fill important roles as companions, so this is a good explanation as to why people - and women in particular - see pets as good communicators of feelings. Pets can often be very expressive without using words."
And pets aren't just there for us emotionally; they can also help in a more practical sense.
The survey included many anecdotal accounts of pets steering people away from danger.
More than a third of Cantabrians said their pet had steered them away from danger or helped them in some way, more than any other region and with a higher percentage than the national average.
This could be because of recent earthquakes, with many respondents recounting stories of how their pet had helped sense the major earthquake on February 22.
"We've been getting an increased number of calls through from pet owners on our free pet care advice service in regards to distressed animals after the Christchurch earthquakes.
"It's important to remember that our pets may help us in our times of need, and we should consider their sensitivity or anxiousness when their environment is changing, too," says Statham.
Other examples of pets helping their owners in some way included: staying close when someone was sick; warning of a falling tree; saving a toddler from a hot drink; alerting owners to burglars who were then caught by police; and even a cat that warned its owner of a fire.
Cantabrians also won out as the region where people thought pets communicated their feelings better than their partner did, with 35 per cent agreeing. Aucklanders were close behind at 32 per cent and only 21 per cent of Wellingtonians thought their pets communicated their feelings better.
Nationally, nearly a quarter of those surveyed celebrated their pet's birthday. Those that did treated their pet to special food or treats. Some celebrations included "a pool party" and "balloons".
"Overall, we're a nation of true pet lovers. This survey shows the positive and beneficial relationship that pets can have on people throughout their lives. Owning a pet is a big responsibility but is very rewarding all the same and can benefit the well-being of both animals and humans," says Statham.
Purina New Zealand offers a free advice service on 0800 PET VIP. www.purina.co.nz