Pet People reader Gail e-mailed me this photo she thought we'd enjoy.

She said: "That is my fat dog Butter (she is supposed to be a miniature doxi and she is always on a diet, my grandson Jevin and my fat cat Storm (we got him on a terrible, rainy, stormy day and that is how he got his name). My animals are all part of the family... this is only half of them. ;)We also have a chocolate cocker named Knuckles and a calico named Sweetpea."

How sweet all three of them sleep so innocently. Love to see them when the are all awake! And I must say that I love the pet names! they are so creative. I especially like Butter and would have never thought of that for a name. I wonder if Knuckles is for "knuckle head?"

And Gail, yes, doxie's can easily have weight issues. My friend Carmen has one that is the sweetest dog on earth, Josie (sorry Lacey, I love you too!), who was always a little pudgy. Last time I saw her, her diet had been working and she was much thinner. I must admit I miss her pudginess!

So, Gail has two dogs and two cats. It seems we die-hard Pet People always have more than two, doesn't it? Gail, I hope you post sometime and tell us more about your brood.

Seeing Jevin with the dog and cat reminded me of my childhood and pets. I remember my first pet, a dog, Pixie, and my second pet, who I remember much better, a dog named Misty. So how about we talk about any childhood pets and the ways they touched us and what they meant to us then....and now.