Pets are so great.

I currently have a rabbit that lives indoors with me. My rabbit's name is Henry.

My favorite thing about pets is their affect on "tough guys." When I have Henry in public with me, which I do often, men walking around like they're they own the place spot the bunny and melt to their knees as they wheeze, "Awwhh a bunny rabbit! Can I pet it?!" I have dubbed this reaction The Henry Effect. When it happens, I kind of feel like this:

In other words, The Henry Effect is kind of like Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup for the privileged, arrogant and oblivious.

Henry has been certified as my ESA (that's Emotional Support Animal). I need an ESA because I have a panic disorder. So, when my brain/body is doing this:

I can hold my bunny. And it makes me feel like this:

Being around Henry reminds me that:

1. There are soft things in life. And that is good.

2. Frolicking around the room should be done at least seven times before bed.

3. It's OK to get really excited about your food.

4. It's OK to be scared of everything. Just as long as you let yourself calm down at some point.

5. Thumping at people when they upset me is perfectly acceptable.

6. Sometimes you just have to dramatically lay down and sleep. Right where you are.

7. Yawning looks terrifying no matter what species you are, so you might as well do it when you need to without shame.

The best thing about having Henry around is that they serve as an ESA for me, but also for everyone I'm around. Henry makes people melt. But they also make people happy. It's kind of like having a therapy dog around all the time, just less work.