I have been around pets since I was 4 years old. My family has had 4 dogs (two currently) and 3 cats (one currently) since that age. I have been a part of the care process for each one. I've slept next to our sick pets and I've let the two dogs we have now sleep in my bed with me when I am home (home is in Garner, Iowa). I'm not grossed out by anything such as slobber, poop on the floor, or vomit. I have also gotten to help take care of my oldest sibling's dogs. She has 4 Shiba Inu's and they are absolutely the craziest dogs I have ever played with. I love taking my dogs for walks almost as much as they love hearing the word walk. As far as cats go, I love snuggling my cat but I have also experienced cats that scratch and hiss/bite when you walk by so there isn't much I've missed I don't think.