I have had family dogs since I was 7. I am very familiar with small dogs as well as middle sized dogs (~coca spaniel). I treat them as a family member and give them the most loving care. The most beloved dog crossed the rainbow a year ago, and he was my absolute jewel. I still see him in other dogs, so I treat them as caring as I took care of my own. I am currently a full-time graduate student. I am mostly in lab during the weekdays (9am-7pm) but weekends are quite flexible. Short walks (~ 1 hr) during the weekdays are possible during the day. I am very, VERY aware of foods that the pets should not eat as well as possible ticks (bugs) in the lawn. So I do a rather calm walk with a couple of rolling-on-the-grass. I clean my pet's feet everytime I enter my apartment. I sometimes also bathe depending on where they were during the walk. I have always taken care of potty-trained dogs, so I have not been frequently took them outside for bathroom breaks.