I have come across this before and thought it funny and true. I have 5 shelties on a full time basis with visitors and puppies in and out all year. I know many of my fellow GW's have pets and would not be without them. This message has touched my heart and helped me through many times when I am having a short-of-patience day.

Ginny

IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY DOGS OR CATS:

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safet...y

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture and cars would be free of hair

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who got there before me

I could sit on the couch and bed the way I wanted without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay and leave it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy yummy for the tummy'...

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, O-U-T, G-O, R-I-D-E, C-O-O-K-I-E.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much

I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading 'mud' season. Otherwise known as "dirty dog days"!

I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an ANGEL as they will ever get.