Linda W.

“ Born into a farm family in Ohio, pets have long been a part of my life. Cats, dogs and even a parakeet when I was 10 were only the start.

While my daughter, now 24 and out on her own, was in grade school, we had mice, goldfish, cats/kittens and dogs.

Now it's just me, still waiting for that "empty nest" syndrome to arrive.

My daughter left behind two cats when she moved out, one of which I still have. And...

Born into a farm family in Ohio, pets have long been a part of my life. Cats, dogs and even a parakeet when I was 10 were only the start.

While my daughter, now 24 and out on her own, was in grade school, we had mice, goldfish, cats/kittens and dogs.

Now it's just me, still waiting for that "empty nest" syndrome to arrive.

My daughter left behind two cats when she moved out, one of which I still have. And God has seen fit to bring me the gift of a Chow/German Shepard mix into my life.

A neighbor started feeding her for six months and then left. She was scared of all people, especially men, and to this day she will run and hide when she hears a horn honking. It took me 18 months before she would let me pet her, but when she did, she let me all the way. She walked into my house, into the kitchen and then looked at me as if to say, "Okay, now what?"

I'm especially good with the shy and abused ones.

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