I grew up with cats, dogs, birds, fish, rabbits, and various other critters I love! I started dog-sitting for friends about twenty years ago because I was renting and couldn't have a dog of my own, and before I knew it, I was a professional. I have administered insulin to a ferret, wrapped medications in cheese for dogs, brought food scraps to chickens, and mucked out stables. I've handled unexpected situations and made night-time drives to the emergency vet. I have witnessed the births of puppies, cooked food on the stove for animals with special diets, and thrown what feels like thousands of balls for dogs who love to fetch. I have never met an animal I don't adore, and - fortunately for me! - the feeling has always seemed to be mutual. Many of the animals I have cared for have been "special needs," so their families didn't have the option of boarding them. Their issues have ranged from anxiety to old age to surgery recovery or other medical challenges. I have been taking care of, training, living with, and just hanging around with animals all of my life, and professionally for the last twenty years.