Grow Up With Pets

Nugget was rehomed to the Arbo family two years ago, and although Australian shepherds are known for relentless energy, requiring physical and mental attention daily, Nugget knows how to settle when it comes time to unwind at home. Nine-year-old Kale Arbo’s mom, Jen Arbo, who also has a cat and four chickens, says, “There’s this very easygoing, comfortable relationship between the two of them, and I think that Nugget has become an important part of Kale’s idea of what our family is.” Aside from the lessons Kale’s learned from owning a pet, from the responsibility of feeding and teaching commands to dealing with the loss of their previous dog, growing up with pets can have many lasting benefits for children, and the family unit as a whole.