Wolfy, what a great way to get to know each other better. Eleanor's *cow story* brought back many memories. I grew up on a farm, and we had a small dairy. Almost all the animals were raised for food, beef, rabbits, chickens. I HATED that. There were barn cats. I had a dog once, I don't remember how she came to me, but I loved her. One day I was taught a lesson. I had not done my chores (hosing down the dairy barn) fast enough. That evening my step father took me and my dog Susie for a ride into the desert. I learned to hate at the age of 9. I spent all the time I could with the animals, and always liked them more than any human except my grandma. 46 years ago I married my wonderful husband, our two hooman kids were born into a family of pets, and were raised on cat hair in the butter. In the late 70's a neighbor had a ferret, but we thought we could not have one *because they ate birds*. We now have 19 animals, and we still like them better than most people. I have no friends that are not animal people. Relatives are another story.... Ardith with: cat, dogs, parrots, desert tortoises, donkeys, fishies, tarantula, hedgehog, ferrets. oh.... pet rock [Posted in FML issue 5269]