I have been an avid animal lover my entire life and grew up in a zoo. Ok, not really, but we always had a houseful of pets. When I was in high school, we had three cats, two dogs, a hampster, a guinea pig and a dozen birds. We've also owned other types of animals like Geko lizards, turtles and hermit crabs. Reptiles and spiders have an tendency to freak me out a bit though. LOL! I love spending time outside with the dogs and playing in the yard, at the dog park or just walking and hiking with them. I have a high energy GSD that I taught to run on the treadmill. Creative ways to get them exercise. Volunteer for Dogs on Duty.