They say that petting a dog lowers your heart rate. What they didn't say is that petting a dog makes your heart grow. :) My family and I have had dogs all of our lives. We have a 3 year old indoor outdoor cat named Astro. Our 10 year old twins love to interact with all types of animals. Our extended family is a lover of pits and big pit lab mixes. My father is also a large and small animal veterinarian which comes in handy as he is always a quick call away for consultation/reference. We love long walks in the park (with your dog) and playtime in the back yard. We would be happy to welcome your pet into our home.