Pets:

	Kaylee - Beagle/Shepherd? I fostered a pregnant beagle in January 2007, and Kaylee was one of hers. Her Mom, Fern, was adopted by my best friend. Born in my kitchen. The best dog I've ever had. Smart, inquisitive, willful.
	Katie - Lab/Cocker Rescue from someone who could no longer take care of her.   Affectionate, clingy, calm.
	Julius  - Siamese "Imperial Star Julius Meezer" Clumsy, friendly, vocal.  Also the weirdest animal I have ever owned. He's not my first Siamese.
	Max - Domestic Short Hair found lost as a  4-week old kitten (too young!) in 2001 Affectionate, smart, deliberate

when I had hens, they'd have staring contests
	Hens (this one is peeking into my basement) - good for eggs, and bug control - actually have personalities if you interact with them.
	The cats would stare back, and interact with the hens.

	An outdoor pond brings all kinds of neat critters -  frogs, chipmunks, and once... a heron!  I also had to catch and relocate a garter snake that was decimating our pond
(only held like this for a second to show her belly full of frogs & fish)	Aforementioned snake - Click image for close-up; you can clearly see the lump. Snake released at a local creek, about 1/4 mile away.
	The Garden was a source of hours and hours of bliss/frustration Protip: grow grapes.  If the Japanese Beetles don't eat the leaves entirely off, they're very low maintenance and make for a shady spot and delicious grapes.