I have had cats, gerbils (and other rodents) and sealife my whole life and often dog sat and housed my neighbors and friends dogs. Sometimes they would be gone for weeks at a time. Also, there would be weeks i would need to house sit. I would clean and make sure the pets are happy. Some of them even had birds, including a chicken. I love all different kinds of animals. Spending time with them, babying them, and just taking care of them. Exercise, baths, clean litters and cages, and of course snuggles are all very important in health and growth. I have bottled babies and i have snuck medicine into their food, which is not always easy. Pets aren't just pets, they are family.