I have lived alone (for the most part) quite a few years. Recently my kid, age 18, moved from out west into my home to live and attend college. Also my dear lover and her 10 year old child, have newly made their home with me. Well, between these three, suddenly I have now become fulltime daddy to three dogs, two cats and an aquarium of fish. How does one express the utter shock, shock I tell you, of the expense of these critters? College tuition is nothing compared to the all too often purchase of a large package of the proper kitty litter, the fifty pound bags of dogfood, catfood, aquarium filters, vet costs, so on and so on etc. Oh well. Our three mutts can best be described as...well....big, hungry mutts. Our cats are batty, bratty, LOUD! frightening creatures. Our eight, whoops!, now seven fish are generally well behaved and silent. Seems I've suddenly had responsibility thrust upon me. I suppose that it shan't be too much to bear. Though it sometimes makes me sound like a bear. Growl!