Growing up, our family usually had a couple of purebred dogs in the family--pembroke welsh corgis, basenjis, westies. Then my brother and I both adopted mixed breed dogs, and we were hooked on mutts. I had a little sheltie mix named Dutchess who was my heart. She died of lung cancer at age 7, and I still tear up when I think about her.
My father limited the creatures in our family. He'd say, "Little Sweetheart, when you grow up and get married, and your husband is willing, you can have a household full of animals. My husband's mother was nuts about animals, so he knew the kind of woman he was marrying.
At present we co-habitate with three dogs and four cats who are all rescues of some dimension. I also keep some nonvenomous snakes and two lizards.
I hold very strong beliefs concerning the spay and neuter of companion and feral animals. It's necessary for the aninals' quality of life. Overpopulation only leads to euthanization. Responsible pet ownership is an ethical obligation in our society. So are the pets who are released to lives beyond house and yard.
When not working for animal welfare groups, I spend time with endangered animal education at our local zoo.
