SLUG: ME-Jobs DATE: November 13, 2009 CREDIT: Carol Guzy/ Th

SLUG: ME-Jobs DATE: November 13, 2009 CREDIT: Carol Guzy/ The Washington Post Huntingtown MD Mark Carrico takes his children to the school bus as son Luke, 13, hugs their dog Spade. He was laid off from his job as a PG County mechanic who worked on police cruisers. His family deals with the uncertainty of finding new employment. His wife has a temporary secretarial position and he has taken over household duties while she works. There has been an increase in people giving up their pets to shelters due to the economic crisis but Carrico said that is not an option since Spade is such an important part of the family and provides emotional therapy. (Photo by Carol Guzy/The The Washington Post via Getty Images)