Approximately 85 million homes in the United States have a pet, and about half of those have more than one. With so many pet households, there was no question that there needed to be a “National Pet Month.” The first National Pet Month was organized by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters -NAPPS (https://petsitters.org/) in 2006. Most years have a theme, and this year it is “Companions for Life”, which aims to raise awareness of not only responsible pet ownership, but also to recognize the bond between humans and animals and the positive effects they have on our physical and mental health. Pets are excellent companions, no matter if we are grouchy, happy, or sad. Whether we are having a great day or struggling with the everyday nuances of life, they stand beside us. They do not care about our physical appearance, what job or amount of education we have, or if we live in a mansion or are destitute. They love spending time with us, no matter what we are, or are not, doing. Their constant companionship is treasured beyond measure, especially