I don't remember a time in my life without either a cat or a dog. When growing up, we always had at least one cat and one dog. One of my earliest memories is of playing with our dog scatterbox, and one of my most heartbreaking moments was having to say goodbye to my dog rocko two years ago. I remember vividly the experience of learning that my cat Kotap had a personality unique and completely independent of mine when I was 6 years old. I am an experienced guinea pig owner, having had four over the last 5 years. I have sat, walked, and generally taken care of countless dogs. I have sat and cared for many cats. I know the ins and outs of pet care, and I know that taking care of a pet goes well beyond just following the directions of their person, but means learning and understanding the unique personality of each animal. I truly love hanging out with animals.