Lets start with pets, an untrained dog kept as a companion is, in my opinion, worthless. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and really enjoy the companionship you can get from them, but lets make them useful! Things dogs can be good at - protection, hunting, herding of other animals (and sometimes children), trained properly a larger dog can pull a cart, just think of it this way all dogs should be service animals. I really have no use for small dogs except in the rare occasion when I am hunting a predator and I need bait. Of course all that said there is a place for dogs merely as companions, I have seen small dogs greatly improve the quality of life for elderly and or infirmed individuals just by being there. I also believe that dogs used to help children in reading programs where their sole function is to sit and listen to kids read is a great use. Of course, I consider both of these functions service oriented even though it is companionship, and they should be well trained for both roles. I won't even get into cats and what a waste of money I think they are, although they do make for good target practice.
Other animals are good to consider too. Dogs and cats aren't the only animals that can add value and quality of life to a home, although for people living in town thinking of "farm animals" as pets isn't normally considered. It should be though. Some communities have laws that won't allow animals other than dogs and cats kept as pets, but many places don't. I simply don't understand why more homes don't keep a couple of chickens or dairy goats in their backyard. My rule is if it produces it can stay, if it is there because someone liked it and it isn't or won't be a productive part of the family it must go. We are talking about getting a couple of dairy goats, and when people heard we wanted goats it was suggested we get fainting goats. Why in the world would I want a fainting goat? The process they go through when they "faint" seems to me to be very traumatic and to put them through that for your amusement is just inhumane. And what do they produce? They aren't good milkers, they aren't bulky like a meat goat, so you are asking me to get another useless pet. I don't think so. Lets get a goat that can put some food on the table, or 3 or 4. You may not realize this but goats don't really require a lot of space, and even though they can be a little work they add a lot of value to your family.
Okay, last but certainly not least, lets talk about house plants. Who doesn't like a few plants around the house? Plants clean the air, produce oxygen, and make the house look better. But why stop there, if you are going to have a houseplant why not get one that provides food for your family as well. How cool would it be if you could grow potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, peppers, and who knows what else in your living room improving the quality of the air in your house and feeding the family at the same time.
Call me greedy and selfish, but my philosophy here is if I put time and energy into something I want a return on my investment, and just making things pretty doesn't cut it. It should look good and give returns.
