I've always loved animals, my father was besotted with them. We had rabbits, chickens, ducks, a dog, a cat, birds, fish and the occasional lizard, all within the city limits of Ventura, California. The neighbors only complained in one neighborhood when our rooster crowed, so we moved into the hills so we could keep him. My dad took exemplary care of his beasties and they and him taught me kindness, responsibility and love. I thought this section appropriate as animals still touch my life in so many ways. This section is also dedicated to Shelby, my Shelberkins, The Shelbster, my baby girl, etc. whom I no longer have and miss terribly.