Pets make us healthy and happy. I know you know that but here are a few specifics ...

Would you like stronger bones? This fact will make your purrrrrr. Apparently the sound of a cat’s purr keeps their bones strong AND keeps their owner's bones strong and healthy too.

Want to give your happy hormones a boost? The fact will make you want to pet – the verb. Petting cats or dogs increases feel good hormones, lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate. In other words, petting is healthy for your heart!

Want to live longer? On average, people who cared for dogs during their lives lived 3 years longer than people who never had a dog.

Want an easy, healthy stress buster? A study shows that watching fish swim can drop your blood pressure about 15 points, about the same as meditating.

Want to get back into shape, in how you feel and look? Dog owners walk 79 percent farther in an average week than non–dog owners.

“Walking is the biggest bang for our buck. Thirty minutes a day of walking will prevent many cases of diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. Walking is the simplest, easiest way for most people." Richard Carmona, Surgeon General

This is a fun topic to research and along the way I came across a slew of great books on this topic …