I think to care for another living creature is one of the greatest acts of service we can give to the world and ourselves. Both sets of my grandparents were farmers, so I grew up taking care of dogs, cats, cows, ducks, and even peacocks; animal care is really in my family’s DNA. As a bonus, my brother is a veterinarian so I’ll have a remote vet on call :) As for my childhood home, we always had a dog, and I’ve cared for (fed, bathed, combed, played with) a wide range of dog sizes from Great Pyrenees to Yorkies. As for cats, I’ve had slightly less experience them but have fed and cared for multiple felines in my time. When I watch my friend’s pets, I always want to know the rules “Dos and Don’ts” of the specific pet. Each pet and owner have preferences, health needs, etc. so I find it really important to be on the same page with the fundamentals. After the ground rules are laid out, I like to get to know the pet and let the pet get to know me. A stranger coming into its domain can be a lot for some pets, and I respect that. Therefore, I want to make sure the pet (and owner) know I’m a friend and can be trusted. Finally, I enjoy running, so if your dog needs some activity, I’d love to go out on a jog with it. Otherwise, I’m happy to take it on long walks, play outside, or give it some loving belly rubs/ear scratches/pets!