In the past few years, their popularity as emotional support animals has increased exponentially. When we feel depressed, anxious, scared, confused, even angry perhaps -- having the presence and contact of a pet can do wonders to release our emotional pain, to calm us, to help us feel safe, to help us feel loved, and to help us feel less alone to deal with the trials and tribulations of our lives. And while I'm on the subject of pets, if you love your pet and would be incensed by someone scooping up your pet and turning it into a nice stew with some potatoes and carrots, consider the possibility of becoming a vegetarian or vegan and sparing all the animals on the planet from that experience.