Animals are quite literally my whole life. My parents brought home a puppy a few months before I was born, and we grew up side by side. Caring for him was part of my daily chore chart, and he lived to be sixteen! The moment I moved out on my own, I rescued Bear, a Pomeranian who was on the euthanasia list at a local shelter. He lived to be almost 19 years old—a milestone my friends and family attribute to the way I cared for him. That experience also provided deep, hands-on familiarity with senior pet care. After he passed last Fall, my house was just too quiet. I welcomed a new puppy, Dash, within a few weeks. Raising him brought a whole new set of skills as I've navigated puppyhood from teething and potty training to post-neuter recovery. My obsession isn't just about dogs, but all animals. I've driven an injured bird to a local rescue center after finding a little guy in my yard, and was elated when I learned he'd made a full recovery. I also regularly fish fruit flies out of wine glasses and bees out of pools; watching them shake off and fly away brings me so much joy. Finally, I've been a pescatarian for over 14 years. A decision I made largely because I could no longer stand the thought of animals being in pain. Animals seem to feel that, as they always gravitate in my direction (peep the photo of my little bee friend!). You can rest assured, time with your fuzzy kiddo is more than a slot on the cal for me. Being around animals always brings pure joy to my day.