Well Drury I am sure you are well aware of the numbers of animal I live with but since no one else knows I guess I will have to elaborate.

In addition to my roommate Nancy, I live with 2 dogs, Opus and Shadow (Opus is mine), 2 Cats, Kaluha and Musubi, a Goffin's Cockatoo named Isabeaux, 3 Cockatiels, Ashley, Chaucer and Sylvia, 1 Rat named Scooby, a Chamelion named Othello and a 40 gallon fish tank.

I have always loved animals. I love watching them. I am always amazed at the things that they are able to do. I love the feelings of complete acceptance that I get from them. In many ways I feel that animals are blessed because they do not judge others critically.

I am constantly reminded by all of my animals that I have a lot to be thankful for. If I have had a bad day at work there is always someone to come home to. Even if Opus has been bad, he always has room in his heart for a kiss and a tail wag for his grumpy old mom. (Yes, people think I am crazy, but my animals are like my kids.)

I guess I live with all of my animals for selfish reasons. They all teach me something and they all make me feel happy in some way or another. I can only hope that in some way I contribute to their happiness as much as they do to mine.