You can be an animal owner, and you can feed and pet and love them as much as you think fit. All the while knowing that the good you're doing gives an animal a loving home and life. You've done great.. Or then you could bond with every pet you own, moving past the basics of feeding and a warm lap, and working on a mutual trust, understanding and partnership. This is what I've always looked for in my pets. 28 years ago I got my first cat, and the lady who gave her to me said "If you want a great cat, spend at least 30 minutes a day with them just petting and sitting next to them. Cats love stillness". I always remembered that as the best piece of advice I ever had as a cat guy. Our animals have always seen so much of us that they're annoyed constantly, and we'd have it no other way. Today is our big girls last day, and we're sending her out with glazed donuts, ice cream, chicken, and yogurt. To say that I would not have the life I have today without her would be an understatement. I spent the last hour thinking on every year of her life, trying to remember everything. It was amazingly therapeutic, I recommend that to everyone at some point. Just bring all the memories to the front, the good and the bad. Laugh about them no matter what. Honestly, she never gave me one bad moment. We sing songs to our animals, making up lines and inserting their names into the right spots. Elton John- Levon (Legion), Earth Wind and Fire-Reasons (Legions)..but my favorite was any references to dancers or ballerinas, cuz she had the daintiest little toes that she'd hop around on. So I'll probably never listen to Van Morrisons "Ballerina" or Elton's "Tiny Dancer" again...which is fine. I remember how she would slice the back of your hand open if you rubbed her for too long..I remember how she rolled around in our sandles..