Anyone who has a dog as a pet will tell you why the dog is called 'man's best friend'. "They are loyal, funny and loving. They seldom complain and always o   86_ their owners," said Mary Smith of Washington D.C.

　　Doctors will also tell you that people who have dogs seem to be happier and healthier than those who live a 87    . One reason for this is that people with dogs lead more active lives. Who can say no to a lovely dog when he pulls on your arm and asks yon to take him for a walk?

　　Dogs are really amazing animals. They not only offer emotional (情感的) support but also p __ 88    great help for humans. Think about guide dogs for blind people, or dogs that help people in wheelchairs.

　　However, it is the emotional side of owning a dog that has been studied in detail by Dr Julie Davis of Chicago University. "B_   89    every dog lover there is a story," says Dr. Davis. "Why do people love their dogs so much? if you hear their stories, it's not difficult to understand why. "

　　Dr. Davis has studied the r    90    between dogs and people for the last ten years. "I have spoken to people in parks, pet stores, and veterinary (兽医的) offices, as well as stopping people in the street. I have interviewed office workers and farmers, policemen and construction workers," says Dr Davis. "E   91   wants to talk about their dogs. Many people said they cried much more when their dogs died than when their parents did. They said the sadness was much d_  92  _ . People are finding animals are more reliable than human beings. People tell me all the time that they get more emotional support from their dogs than they do from their husbands or wives."