“Who let the dogs out” is more than a popular song. I assume it’s what we ask ourselves frequently during this year’s presidential election newscasts.

It’s also the proverbial question I ask my family daily. That’s how I keep my beloved furry yorkies from destroying my year-old carpets due to their incontinence.

I promised myself I’d keep the dogs in the laundry room but they look at me with those pleading werewolf expressions to let them live with us. With this winter’s unseasonably warm temperatures, I don’t mind walking them in the early twilight around the block. That’s after they resort to their lifestyle of napping throughout the day and spotting my floors, regardless of how frequently I let them out.

It’s amazing how much we love our pets. I don’t love them more than my kids. But they’re an extension of my family. When we are away, I tell my husband I miss them more than my daughters. Of course I’m joking. It’s a human condition to reach out and bond with my best friends. Petting the soft fur lowers blood pressure, according to medical experts. So this election year its a win-win to pet your dog or cat.

Chloe Lou is a diva dog and has no idea she’s only three pounds. She’ll get up close and personal with a Rottweiler or a German shepherd and delight in tormenting them. It’s her English pedigreed ancestry to be fearless and arrogant in her tiny body. But instead of chasing rats, she is terrorizing dogs around the park. Thank heavens for leash laws. A larger breed will just fantasize that my dog is lunch!

Last month, a woman from New York spent around $95,000 to clone her pet. She was on the news holding up this adorable dog. How can one judge her decision? She had the money and wanted to extend her beloved dog’s existence by creating a duplicate. Yes, it’s creepy and crazy but it exemplifies how far people will go to keep their dog as a best friend forever. How about the man who left his estate to take care of his dog after he died? It’s also strange but true. The love list regarding pet loyalty is endless.

So this Valentine’s Day, when I buy chocolates and bring out the red decor, I plan on buying my furry pets a treat as well to celebrate our shared devotion. Because even we regular folk dote on our pets. I don’t plan on keeping them forever, but I will include them this Valentine’s Day and all year long!