Even the first family understands just how wonderful owning a pet can be. President Barack Obama (R) is photographed above with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia (C) and Sasha as they walked their Portuguese Water Dog, Bo, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington in 2009. He was just a puppy at the time. The Obamas have since added one more member to their family, a second Portuguese Water Dog named Sunny.Reuters
From box turtles and iguanas to hamsters and goldfish, memorable pets come in all shapes, sizes and species.
While dogs and cats typically come to mind when we think of favorite non-human companions, there is large variety of four, two and no-legged creatures who people happily call their best friends. In celebration of National Pet Day on April 11, we've gathered 20 quotes about the joy of owning and loving a pet.
1. “I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.” - Neil Gaiman
2. “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France
3. “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” - Orhan Pamuk in My Name is Red
4. “Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it.” - Amy Sedaris in Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People
5. “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” - Robert Benchley
6. “I don’t understand people who don’t touch their pets. Their cat or dog is called a pet for a reason.” - Jarod Kintz
7. “Our pets are our family.” - Ana Monnar
8. “Armadillos make affectionate pets, if you need affection that much.” - Will Cuppy
9. “Being able to feel love, loyalty, gratitude and happiness means you have a soul? Then all my pets are bound for heaven.” - Jury Nel
10. “Love is love, whether it goes on two legs or four.” - Gwen Cooper
“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.” - Johnny DeppReuters
11. “Sometimes, your pet picks you.” - Julie Wenzel in Alone I Walk
12. “Don't judge a cat by its coat.” - Magdalena VandenBerg
13. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. - Josh Billings
14. Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms. - George Eliot
15. In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this. - Terry Pratchett
16. I've got a new invention. It's a revolving bowl for tired goldfish. - Lefty Gomez
17. When I was 16... I worked in a pet store. And they fired me because... they had three snakes in there, and one day I braided them. - Steven Wright
18. Maybe humans are just the pet alligators that God flushed down the toilet. - Chuck Palahniuk
19. I love animals and feel very strongly that people should not be allowed to buy a pet if they are not able to look after it. - Kirsty Gallacher
20. If you have a deep-seated need to be loved and admired every day, you shouldn't be in politics. You should go work at a pet store. - Michael Nutter
