For the week ending 20 December 2003 / 25 Kislev 5764  Dog Gone
by Rabbi Yirmiyahu Ullman - The Color of HeavenArtscroll  From:
Margie in MA  Dear Rabbi,  Why do religious people seem to have
an aversion to pets?  Dear Margie,  Your question is not a petty
one. There are undoubtedly significant benefits to owning pets.
Children can learn responsibility and sensitivity by caring for
pets. Pets bring joy into the home and also can provide company
for the lonely. The Talmud notes that dogs in particular are
sensitive to danger and guard against intruders. Our Sages
further assert that one can learn good traits from animals, "Had
the Torah not been given, we could have learned modesty from the
cat, honest labor and industriousness from the ant, fidelity
from the dove, and consideration for ones mate from the
rooster".  Jews in all periods and places owned nearly all types
of animals; they raised them, worked with them, and otherwise
derived benefit from them. Nevertheless, keeping pets in the
home for enjoyment