It's difficult to understand why people don't realize that pets are gifts to mankind.

I've lived through what seems to most - and myself - many lives.

Kids shouldn't see all the violence they do these days. But the industry just doesn't care.

Of all the projects I've worked on, I've never worked with another director like Billy Friedkin. I think he's a genius.

The animals are right here, right in front of us. And how we treat these companions is a test.

The Exorcist has been a very interesting cross to bear.

To ignore one's spiritual self is unsettling, to say the least. That's a very profound outlook on it.

I was so sad from losing two of my dogs and my mother. I had this vision of all these animals sitting behind bars. They had no control and were scared. That's why I got into fostering and adopting animals out.

If I had children, I would be very selfish. I wouldn't be out doing things. But by not having kids, it makes me freer to travel the world and talk about things I feel are important.

One of the reasons I don't have kids is because I think people would have been very unfair to them. Think of it. You're still asking me questions about The Exorcist.

People always joke that 'dog' spells 'god' backwards. They should consider that it might be the higher power coming down to see just how well they do, what kind of people they are. The animals are right here, right in front of us. And how we treat these companions is a test.

There was a golden retriever who saved countless lives on September 11 by going back in to find people. His companion was in a wheelchair. He got him out and kept going back in to save others.

When I was 13 I asked my mother if it was possible for this to end - I'd had enough of it. And that was right about the time that we got a call for 'The Exorcist' interview.