By the standards of other developed countries, Americans tend to live "high-consumption" lifestyles.  Boats, jet skis, Harleys, SUVs - we've got them.  $25,000 wedding bills?  That's par for the course.  And we don't let the issue of "cash-on-hand" become a deterrent to our pleasure seeking.  Just put it on the ol' credit card.  Oh really, you offer a lease program for that?  A second, forty year mortgage, you say?  Don't mind if I do.

Randomly select an elementary or middle school teacher.  Ask them for the most common topic kids write about.  Chances are, they'll say: dead pets.

Given that most school-aged kids will have known their pet since birth, it's easy to understand why.  The loss of a pet is like losing a close family member.