My parents never let me have a dog while I was growing up. Their main reason was that we were away from home so much, it wouldn't be fair to the dog to always be left alone. I was allowed to have a parakeet instead. It wasn't until my own children began pressing me for a pet, that we got our first dog. I became Sparky's favorite person (because I fed her??). She literally lived for the moment I would come down the stairs or walk through the door. Once I experienced the tremendous unconditional love, companionship, and loyalty of these animals, I was hooked for life. I am embarrassed to admit that I am an over-the-top dog owner. At the time I was an expat living in Venezuela (no rules about how many dogs you can have) and had a big house with a huge yard. I eventually ended up with 8 dogs and maintained that number for many years. I had several German Shepherd litters, adopted numerous strays and cared for them like no other. Once I had become a dog owner, I remembered my father's words and realized what he had meant. Our dogs love us so much, they suffer when they are separated from us when we travel or the hours we are away at work, waiting patiently, staring at the door until we finally walk through it. I was lucky in Venezuela because I worked out of my home and was rarely away, but when I had to be away, it was a comfort to know my precious pets were in good hands. If you are looking for a reliable, responsible person who loves dogs and will care for yours as if they were her own, that person is definitely me. I have plenty of time for my dog charges since I am a part-time ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor and have a flexible schedule. I can easily make their needs a priority and give them the care and attention they need in your absence.