Dogs have been a big part of my life pretty much since I was born. No, really….my parents had a sheep dog named Cassie and as a toddler we were best buddies. Cassie would slide across our kitchen tiled floor and knock into me. I laughed hysterically as I tumbled to the floor and clapped my hands signaling her to do it again! Then, as a preteen, Santa Claus brought a Golden Retriever puppy named Kessler to our home and she claimed me as hers-cuddling up in my bed at night, catching my softballs in the backyard during my practices, and comforting me through all the tough parts that come with growing up. When it was time to start my own family, my husband and I adopted a corgi named Tuff and he became our first “child”. He kept me company during those first years of long nights with babies. After tuff died, Pearl, a one year old Portuguese Water Dog, recently joined our family. She is a best friend not only to me but also my 5 kids who adore her. We are an active family of 7 and Pearl joins us hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, on walks around our neighborhood, and playing catch in the fields and parks by our house. Dogs have been the most loyal, trustworthy, loving, joyful best friends of my life. I have happily taken care of neighbors and friends' dogs over the years.