Pet care is already built into my everyday routine. With my own cats, I start by making sure they’re fed and have plenty of fresh water; something I think is especially important and sometimes overlooked with pets. After that, I always make time for attention, whether that means cuddling on the couch, chasing a laser pointer, or simply letting them hang out wherever everyone else is. My cats may be independent, but they still want to be involved in absolutely everything we do! I also give my one-eyed kitty, Levi, his daily eye drop and keep a close eye on his eye since it requires a little extra care. At the end of the day, the cats usually get another round of playtime with a wand toy or whatever has caught their attention that week before finding their favorite cozy spot in our bed. I’m also the proud aunt of a very house-elf-looking wiener dog named Willow. Over the years, I’ve cared for her whenever my sister needed me to, which usually meant walks, meals, fresh water, treats, cuddles, and plenty of time to sniff the neighborhood. After walking a hound for years, I have learned that getting from Point A to Point B is merely a suggestion. Sometimes every single blade of grass apparently requires a full investigation! I’m very patient with that because sniffing and exploring are part of how dogs experience their world, and I’m happy to let them enjoy their walk rather than rush them through it. Once Willow has had her walk and settles down for one of her famous naps, that’s usually when I’ll work on schoolwork or other things I need to get done. Being a student gives me flexibility to work pet care naturally into my day, and I’m very comfortable planning my schedule around feeding times, walks, playtime, medications, check-ins, and whatever routine helps a pet feel most at home.