A Fat Girl's Guide to Having Pets:

I love animals. If my father would have allowed and encouraged it, I would have become a vet instead of a nurse. When I was 5 I had a collie/setter mix named Lassie, of course. My parents gave her away when we were moving to our new house because my mother didn't want a dog. When I was 12 my cousin and I took up horseback riding and would go to the ranch every Saturday.
My son was 3 when we got our first family dog, Nikki, a collie/lab mix. My daughter wanted a kitten when she was in first grade, so we adopted Sheba from the shelter. About six years later, a patient who was dying of cancer begged me to take her cat, Samson. He was a lovable, huge, Maine Coon cat. About a year later, Alex found a stray kitten on a very cold night. We named him Rocky. We also had several goldfish that Justina always managed to win at carnivals. And we must not forget the adopted cockatiel, Thomas. I certainly made sure my children had the menagerie I was denied. And we all lived happily, crazily, ever after.
The children grew up and left, my husband, Jack, died, and the animals got old and eventually passed on, also. I hadn't met Charlie yet, so off I went one day to the Humane Society and adopted a 5 year old Bichon named Lucky.
Pet ownership is a big commitment, but they give you unconditional love and loyalty. I am a big fan of Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. Dogs need exercise, discipline, and affection in that order. I am now a pack leader with 2 more adoptees, Stan, a Westie, and Hampton, a Llaso Apso. I've had all 3 for several years now. When Charlie came into the picture, it was "love me, love my dogs".
I keep saying I need a cat, but Lucky and Stan would never welcome a cat into the house. It's just as well. The feeding, grooming, and veterinary care for 3 dogs is quite a lot.
Pets bring us joy and are actually good for our health. The dogs make me get fresh air and exercise. Petting a dog or cat can even lower your blood pressure.
So whether you're a cat person, a dog person, a bird person, or love all animals and have a menagerie, enjoy your pets, love them, take care of them, and live happily, crazily, ever after.