I have always had a dog in the house growing up and got my first dog of my "own" was at 7. my dog, max, was a chihuahua and dachshund mix my mom had found on craigslist. I cared for him all I could but I was not financially responsible for him or anything. The first pet I got that I was fully responsible for, both physically and financially, was my hamster, Apple, who I adopted when I was newly 16. I recently got another hamster in June named Hamphrey and found a 4 week old kitten by my old office in July. I am currently employed at a dog day care/ boarding center. I take joy in caring for my animals and their health and happiness is most important to me. I have cared for the pets of my family members in the past as well.