The dogs used to live outside and have their own dog houses!

Eric Lowery, you made some profound statements.  It must be hard to train an animal so most don't try.  I  must admit I've never snuggled a German Shepherd and probably won't.  Thanks for comments.

Lenn, I'm sure you're right.  Too bad kids and animals step outside their boundaries so often.

Suzanne, I like to think that animals have natural fur coats for a reason and it isn't for sleeping inside.  But that's what I was raised to believe and times have changed.

Randall, you should show us a picture of your family member!

Norma, in some cases they are perhaps more important!  Unfortunately for the children.

Linda, I'll bet you are young with young parents.  People 50 years ago had no animals in the house that I can remember.  Thus all the Hank "dog house" songs.

Connie, so what kind of dog chose your warm cozy bed.  LOL

Mark, did I count two babies?  Or does your baby make three?  LOL

DON!  What a story and picture!  That's a big hole in the house.  Burglars can climb through the hole but I guess if they did, the dog (which has to be big) would eat him alive!

Debi, pets do make messes. Cats scratch and tear up lots of carpet.  Even when the animals are outside they do a lot of damage to the back door or porch.  I once bought some wood patio furniture and had a dog in our back yard.  He chewed up the wood!!!

Steven, cats can also do a lot of damage.  And several of them in a house leaves an unbearable smell.  Remember my flea house blog.  That was from cats.

Charles, that's funny.  A dog that killed skunks!  He was one brave dog, I'd say.  Or perhaps it was spite on his part because he couldn't stay in your house.  LOL

Mary, I did not know Hank Sr. wrote that song.  But his songs usually have so much humor.

That's a charming picture.  Did you grow that calf for 4H or something?  The dog is busy sniffing for another skunk, looks like.  Wasn't life innocent and peaceful then.  All you had to worry about was whether there would be a skunk on your back porch every morning.

Tony and Libby, I do have a cat who lives outside.  No dogs at all.  But all our pets have had to stay outside.  To be honest, however, once my kids left home they had their pets live inside with them.  It's a generation thing.

James, you are part of the younger generation.  We were drilled as kids to " wash your hands!" after petting any animal.  As an adult with an animal I still feel compelled to wash after touching them.  Therefore, how does a person adapt to animals in the house when you have been trained to think they are germy?  I wish I were young and carefree!!!!  I've gotta listen to those artists you mention.

Angelia, see my comment to James above.  My parents would have died if I'd had an animal in my bed....or their bed.  As stated, it's a generation thing.