I have grown up in house that always had at least 1 animal in it (and I currently own 2 cats). For a very long time I wanted to be a vet and started out by volunteering in a vet clinic, then doing my co-op there, and finally working in a clinic where they also boarded animals. I also had to administer many different kinds of medicine to these animals (ear cleanings, ear drops, pills, eye drops). While I still love animals, I discovered that being a vet was not the job for me (for reasons I'm sure you can figure out). My sister always says that I like animals more than people (this is probably true, lol). My home is technically a "townhouse", but I am a front side unit with a balcony instead of a yard. There is a big field just outside the apartment door though (no apartments are above me, but there are restaurants under me). I live very close to my place of work and come home for lunch (and can pop home on breaks if needed). My boyfriend also does shift work and is home in the day a lot of the time.