I know I will be vastly in the minority here, but I keep dogs. I asked a scholar in Pakistan if I should rehome them (which frankly would have broken my heart) and he explained that as long as you perform wudu after being touched by a dog's saliva, and do not eat from a dish that a dig has licked, there is no issue. The People of the Cave kept a dog with them and were visited by angels, and Mohammad (saw) often showed pity on dogs. So we still have two dogs - Mushu, a rat terrier, and Ellie, a miniature dachshund - in addition to a ball python named Klinger (anyone familiar with the television show "MASH" from the 70's? She was named after Max Klinger, who often dressed as a woman to get out of the army on a psychological discharge, because we did not know if she was male or female when we adopted her!) Living with my ex-husband are Bolt (rat terrier/pug), Bill (pekingese), and two cats named Meowth and Baloo. Tasslehoff, our third cat, passed away from old age this afternoon, and I am still very broken up over it.
I grew up on a goat farm, and also had horses and ducks. I've also worked in zoos and worked with everything from fish to elephants, and currently am interning at our local humane society. For over ten years I have been their "exotic" foster mom, taking in and rehabilitating reptiles and any animals that are illegal to keep in our state, until truly suitable homes can be found for them.
For favorite animals, LIONS! Of course!
Also nubian goats, highland cattle, poitou (a type of giant hairy donkey), and bengal cats. If someone can post images for me of these four, I would appreciate it!
) ?
