Adopting -- A great place to adopt a pet is at your local animal shelter or purebred rescue group which typically offers a nice variety at a low price. These pets are also likely to already be vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Many shelters may offer discounted or free adoption to senior citizens. Be sure to ask. To locate a shelter or rescue in your area look in your local yellow pages or visit www.pets911.com.

Health benefits

You're right about pets being good for our health. Studies have shown that pet owners make fewer doctor visits, have shorter hospital stays and take less medication than people who don't own pets.

Pets can boost our spirits, encourage exercise and socialization and can even help prevent and relieve numerous medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and depression.

Savvy tip: Retired or rejected service dogs also make great pets for seniors because they've been through basic obedience training and are usually already housebroken. Costs range between $100 and $600. To find this type of pet in your area, the American Dog Trainers Network (inch.com/~dogs/service.html) offers a directory of service-dog training organizations that are located in almost every state.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC's Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" books.