Greetings Pat: Welcome to Pet Talk.
I'm Vickie but I prefer to be called Slick. I acquired that nickname about 20 years ago from a coworker who is now deceased from cancer. 
I'd like to think that I'm one of the "mature" members here - born in 1952. I live near Vancouver, BC and was born and raised here. I'm proud to say that I am a lung cancer survivor - many, many PTers helped me through my recovery from surgery.
I'm an IT professional and work for non-profit. I retire in about 7 1/2 years and I'm counting the days - can hardly wait. Since I do work full time I don't have as much time to spend on PT as I would like, but I still sneak in a little time during my lunch hour (ssshhhh, don't tell my boss from hell).
Right now sadly I have no pets, having just lost my dear Max on January 15. I will, however, be opening up my heart again to an adult or senior kitty who needs as much love as I do.
I joined PT in 2002 which seems like decades ago. PT has brought me so much love and support that I could never repay. For the first time in my life I can finally say that I have best friends and the people of Pet Talkville are the only hoomans who "get me." If that's not Law of Abundance, I don't know what is.
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand and strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!
--unknown
Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see
--Polar Express
Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
Bookmarks