Over the course of 4 months everyone in a household of 6 gets sick. The first 5 to get sick fall ill with the common cold. The 6th inhabitant to get sick contracts “sickness 1a”, which has initial symptoms identical to those experienced by the other members of the household but which is actually a deadly virus. Given the recent history of sickness in the household, the 6th inhabitant has every reason to believe that he/she has simply fallen ill with the same cold everyone else in the house either had or currently has. In a curious triumph of mind over body, the 6th inhabitant overcomes a virus that would’ve killed them if they hadn’t been under the impression that they merely had the cold everyone else had had. Possible? Probably. Likely? Probably not, but it’s a worthy procrastination thought. I think it’s pretty established that attitude has influence on recovery from sickness and that companionship even with only a pet is beneficial.