I have always had pets. Growing up we had a dog, and cat. Our cat who lived to be 17, was more like a dog-cat. He always had to be held like a baby, sat at the dinner table with us, and needed cuddles. Since then I had a golden retriever/husky mix named Bella who lived to be 10. She was there for both of my daughters coming into this world, and whom they still talk about to this day (with their Bella pillows, and Bella blankets I made them). Now, we have Penny, an almost 4 year old Chihuahua/Terrier mix who is our love! We adopted her when she was 9 months old. She keeps us entertained, and loved! There will never not be a time in my life where I won't have a pet. It's so important for my kids to grow up learning how to love and take care of an animal too.