The Oxford Dictionary defines the word ‘pet’ as ‘a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure.’ Pets, sometimes dubbed as companions, are everywhere. Chances are that you’ve met one person (actually, most definitely more than one) who has or had an animal to keep them company in their home.
Why? Reasons can include the principal cuteness factor, but can range to defense mechanisms with animals like large dogs. Some people just want company from someone (something?) that will listen to their plights. This reason seems to be the most popular at Barstow.
A survey conducted across the U.S. stated that 96% of Americans have had a pet within their life. Another study, focused on why people want animals, considered that animals sometimes come with health benefits. The first and most obvious example of this phenomenon is a service dog, but there’s more. Interaction with animals decreases cortisol (a stress-related hormone) levels and lowers blood pressure. Animals also boost mood, reduce loneliness, and increase feelings of social support.
The Barstow student body seems to like animals. The B-Line interviewed a small cluster of pet-owning students in an attempt to collect information regarding why our students got pets in the first place.
Simran Mohan ‘26 owns a Great Pyrenees dog. When asked why she and her siblings wanted a dog, she said, “We’ve always wanted an animal in the house. He makes me happier than any human could possibly make me, because he doesn’t speak…he doesn’t fight with me…I can just talk to him, and he doesn’t have anything to say back, which is nice.”
Tortoise owner Ethan Jiang ‘26 got his pet because “I thought they were pretty chill…and I wanted company.”
Giselle Potts ‘26 and Mariya Khan ‘26 shared similar sentiments. Giselle, with her Yorkie dog, said “I’m an only child, so it’s kinda lonely.” Mariya, who has four cats, said, “I wanted a pet because I only ever had birds up until I got cats, and I wanted a pet I could play with.”
Of course, some people have reasons that probably aren’t as close to the most popular consensus of why people have pets, like Rachel Jacobs ‘26, who said her ownership of two cats came about when “a crazy old lady offered them to us.”
According to a survey sent out by the B-Line, most Barstow students with pets have dogs or cats. Birds, reptiles, and horses were also sparingly seen on the list. Students who wanted pets gave varying responses when prompted with why they’d want one, ranging from emotional support to the presence of cuteness in the household.
Pets aren’t for everybody. One student said, “I don’t really want [a pet] but I’m okay with it. But I would prefer to not have one.” Caring for a pet can be difficult, time-consuming, and financially stressful, so it is always good to consider all the responsibilities that come with having a pet before obtaining your own. A good way to quell the problem of loneliness is by getting an animal to keep you company. Pets also bring with them a plethora of health benefits. All in all, if you need a friend (or just an animal to stare at), a pet isn’t a bad idea.
