Passing down our love for animals...

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Let's just say my daughter learned "cat" and "doggie" before she learned to say mama or dada!!

[Karen]

We don't have children of our own, but not only are my nieces and nephews taught the love for animals, I try to teach every child I encounter the same thing! Certainly every child that lived on this street in Miss Hoppy lifetime learned to love and respect bunnies!

[momcat]

While I never had a pet growing up, my love for all animals goes way back to when I was a little kid. I spent much of my childhood at my uncle's dairy farm helping my cousins with the farm work including caring for the cows. For this city kid, helping with all the animals including the dogs and cats was a real treat. My happiest memories of growing up involve the time and work I shared with my cousins on the farm. To this day, I believe that every kid should have the chance to spend time at a farm!

When my cousins and I were small, another uncle had a beautiful Irish Setter named Ginger. Our parents emphasized to each of us not to tease Ginger or do anything that might hurt her. When we were outside, we always played with her; we'd wrestle with her, chase her, things small kids do with a dog. Ginger never so much as growled at any of us. When she had enough of our antics, she'd just walk away and go someplace she knew we weren't allowed to go. After awhile, Ginger would come back and play with us again.

As Mike (Soncat) was growing up we had goldfish, hamsters, even a toad. he learned from a very early age to respect and care for animals. When he lived in Rhode Island, Mike adopted a kitty from a shelter who sadly came from an abusive situation. His patience, love, and care brought Graphix around and she became a friendly, affectionate, loving companion. Mike says you can tell how someone will treat people by the way they treat animals. I have to agree with him!

[happylabs]

The funniest thing about my upbringing is that I always had dogs. My parents did not like cats and I was never taught anything about them. Thank goodness Kit Kat showed up on my doorstep 10 years ago. It only took a short while for her to live with us until I was hooked!