I tried to post an answer earlier, but my newest cat managed to step on the power switch to the surge protector which, of course, turned the computer off.....
Ahhh pets...... I grew up in a family that was a pet mecca. I don't know how it happened, but my suspicion is that my younger sister was born with the mutant "Dr. Doolittle" gene that attracted animals from the entire town.
Thanks to my sister, we had every mongrel dog that either didn't have a home, or just wouldn't go home after hanging out with us. We also had cats, rats, mice, rabbits, chickens, fish, lizards, and even a tarantula when my cousin moved in with us.
My dad is a total sucker for animals, and even though he would never "allow" us to get one, if one "followed" us home, he would baby the darn thing......which is why we had chickens in our house in the winter. Let's just say that I didn't invite any friends over during my adolescent years - nothing like explaining why there is a rooster crowing on your footboard in the morning.
My sister desperately wanted an African Grey parrot, so they got her one......it somehow became my parent's bird, and they are on Grey #3. I can't stand the buggers......they are mean!
So now that I am a "grownup", I have a big, beautiful male Doberman named Mako, and an old, crazy yet faithful half dobe/ half aust. shepherd named Cody. We also have a big fat grey & white cat named Algernon and a new tiger striped dude named Fry. They make me crazy, but my boyfriend is a cat person, so I compromise where I can.
We also have 17 chickens, but that's another story.. :fork: