People de-stress in different ways, and if soaking in a warm bath doesn't do it for you, try something a little more active and playful in the four-legged variety. Many studies show the health benefits of pets for relieving stress, reducing high blood pressure, and boosting your mood. Calm your mind by playing with your pet. If you don't have one, canoodle with your friend's goldendoodle. Pet Read more

Early in the morning, my dog Bonnie is raring to go. She wakes me up with tons of licks, and paces coyly around the room until I pull my lazy bum out of bed. She can't wait to get outside, not only to "do her business," but to run and jump and chase and play. Every day her boundless energy inspires me to get my body moving, too. She reminds me to stretch and I feel I should do a down dog every Read more

There's nothing easy about a breakup, but when you own an animal together, things get even more complicated. The way one loves an animal is like nothing else — your pet is your most loyal friend, the one that brings you instant happiness, and your favorite cuddle buddy — so if your partner feels the same way about your four-legged friend, who gets custody? Of course sharing it is always an Read more

Dear Sugar, I realize that I am supposed to cut off all ties with my ex-boyfriend, but I've broken the rules. We didn't talk for a month and I haven't seen him since we broke up, but I just texted him about my dog, whom he had cared for a great deal. My dog just got diagnosed with cancer, and my ex about this opened the floodgates for communication. We have arranged for him to see my dog without Read more

Your new boyfriend went away on a business trip for more than two weeks and left his pet bird in your care. A graduation present from his family, the bird means a great deal to him and holds sentimental value. He's given you very specific instructions on caring for it, with the very explicit declaration that he'll be destroyed if you kill it. You're not a huge fan of pet birds, but you know Read more