Novelist Anatole France once wrote that “until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.” If you’ve ever loved an animal companion, then you’ll know that our connections with animals can be emotionally equivalent to those we share with other human beings—and scientific research backs this up.

Some of the key ingredients of human attachment are experiencing the other as a dependable source of comfort, seeking them out when we are distressed, feeling deep enjoyment and pleasure in their presence, and missing them when apart. Researchers have identified all of these as features of our relationships with pets, too.

Additionally, some groups of people are particularly likely to develop intimate bonds with companion animals. These include isolated older people, people who have lost faith in humans, and people who rely on assistance animals.

Researchers have also found that our connections with our fluffy, scaled, and feathered friends come at a price in the sense that we deeply grieve the loss of our pets when........

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