My family has always had animals, and I've always loved taking care of them. Dogs, cats, birds, the whole nine yards. I've been around pure-breds, mutts, strays, elderly animals, young animals, a whole range, and I've always been very close with all of them. The most direct experience I've ever had was helping raise and train my mother's dog Ivan, a big American Bulldog with German Shepherd and Siberian Husky heritage, from near-birth to nine years old. Beyond that, I've helped care for my grandmother's many dogs, including Jasper, who is pictured in my profile picture.