Children should all have pets, so they can get used to managing themselves through the pain of losing the love of the connection. It’s gentler than losing an “intimate” union and love. If we cling too tightly, we can become a monster, we can heart and soul shatter and wish to destroy the entire world for the pain of it. Practicing this release makes the loss, or change within union, bearable, while remaining open to loving again. I really don’t like it when my doggo leaves me, but another comes, and teaches me to love again.