I've grown up with dogs my entire life but my family never thought of them as pets - they were part of what made us a family. 8 years ago I adopted my first puppy, a lab mix named Zelda, and she is the most beautiful and best part of me, with sass to spare. I have been dog sitting regularly for 10 years now and am comfortable with dogs of all sizes and activity levels and have house-sat for up to 3 dogs at a time for up to a 2-week period. Beyond that, I have also spent time with service dogs and dogs in mourning. I can honestly say that I find the time I spend with any dog, no matter how excitable or calm, good for the soul.