"Dog are not my whole life, but they make my life whole", to paraphrase a well known quote. My dogs are not kennel dogs, and we in fact encourage them to sleep on the furniture and beds. Norman and I don't have children by choice and have deicded to fill our home with the pitter-patter of  the 4-legged variety. I have been fortunate to have them teach me great lessons along the way, and they are in fact the reason I lead a more natural life myself.  I let the dogs personality dictate what venue they want to perform in, whether that be conformation, obedience or even Frisbee. I have tried agility and will start training some of the younger dogs in agility, but I am not the most agile thing on two feet so I feel like I am a hindrance to my dogs. Most of all they are my friends and I am so very thankful to have them.