I have had animal friends around me my entire life! I have cared for and have found homes for many strays throughout that time. I also enjoy periodically dog sitting for friends, neighbors, and families. There have been countless times since I was young, that I would spot a pup with a tags and no humans, and have to stop. On walks, on the way to work, out with friends — I have stopped and tracked down the owner. So far I have been lucky enough to have had a belt handy! One morning, at my very first apartment, I was on my way to work when I discovered that a building nearby had caught fire. As I called the fire department, I raced up the hill to the office to get help. Halfway up the hill, I called my neighbor, but get no response. Once at the office, I asked to get help unlocking my neighbor’s apartment to retrieve a pup I knew was living there. Escorted back to the building, I raced inside the smoking apartment across from the one on fire and got that pup on a leash and headed back out into the fresh air. We walked from the building just as the fire truck arrived, and I left a message with the neighbor that I would remain with their animal friend until they got back. Consider me dedicated!