We Know Pets Can Keep Us Youthful, But Can They Also Help Keep Us Healthier?

For years, we've been hearing about the positive effects of pets.  Usually, though, we hear about it in terms of staying youthful.

Now a new study from Finland, reported on CNN, points to evidence that children who are around cats and dogs during their first years may actually have fewer respiratory ailments--like those ear infections for which kids are so known.

While those around cats are still protected, they're a little less so than kids who are around dogs.  No one knows for sure why--and the officials are acknowledging that more research needs to be done, but some think that perhaps the more a dog is outside, the more direct he or she drags in.  That, in turn, stimulates the child's immune response.

So what do you think?  Let's chat.