I cannot stress enough the truth and importance of the points expressed in the post which is titled "Dogs are time consuming, not space consuming - they want our companionship, not our property". I see this truth indisputably obvious on a daily basis as I watch my family - a Golden Retriever Service Dog, a Rotweiller\LabX, a very senior and furry foster cat and a somewhat younger black and white domestic shorthaired cat. None of them arrived together, making integration initially seem impossible to achieve. With experience, time and occasionally the addition of a little faith called upon by myself,integration happens. It has to happen if each of them wants, more than anything, to join the family, which means being with me. And that is what they want,and work toward, until all the family members are comfortable with me and with each other. I know that none of them would have it any other way.

Pick any unbearably hot day in our Okanagan summer, where somewhat cooler pavement awaits in the carport, a shady spot under a tree is enticing and a 'kiddy pool' or sprinkler is ready for play. If I am stretched out in my wretchedly hot bedroom glued to the TV, you will find my family on my bed on their chosen spot around me. Do they have a choice? Again, thanks to the good fortune I have had to be able to separately fence my front and back yard, carport and driveway, the choice is completely their preference. We live in an area relatively free of annoying bugs, flies and mosquitos, enabling doors or windows to be left open, without screens.The canine and feline family members are free to come and go as they please in safety. And they do go, for very short periods to perform their duties as they have been trained to do.

Being where I am, is "the" place to be. When darkness falls, all is quiet, tummies are full and access to the outdoors is no longer available. There is an unmistakable feeling of peace. Yes, I share my bed, and never grow tired of seeing this little family peacefully sleeping, snoring or purring in a spot they found among each other. This peaceful state which I feel privileged to witness and experience, does not happen according to a predictable schedule. We are all different and so is the integration process. I find myself wishing, once in a rare while, that there was another human family member who could quietly slip in and and capture on film our family, undisturbed in restful sleep. This is a state I am blessed to enjoy and my family deserves. Still in our midst we have people who refer to cages, unfamiliar surroundings and people, endless noise, frightening cell mates and few if any hugs and cuddling as "shelters". The word does not fit. It has not fit for a very long time and it will not fit in the future. I am thankful for the people who provide for their animal family members the environment and physical and emotional care which meets the needs of those that are blessed to find shelter and companionship in their home.