I love animals! I can only think of two years of my life when I didn't have a pet.

When I graduated from college and I moved out on my own, I waited a few years until I adopted a pet. Adopting an animal was one of the best decisions I made! According to the ASPCA, approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter an animal shelter, 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. Of the dogs that enter shelters, approximately 35 percent are adopted, 31 percent are euthanized and 26 percent that came in as strays are returned to their owners. Of the cats that enter shelters, approximately 37 percent are adopted, 41 percent are euthanized and only 5 percent that comes in as strays are returned to their owners. Numbers speak for themselves, but in order to get a true picture of the beauty of pet adoption, you need to meet some of the babies that found their forever homes!

Meet Stardust!

Two years ago I got a cat. I'm not a cat person, well, at the time I wasn't a cat person. I actually walked into my local pet adopt fair looking for a puppy. But this little one reached out of her crate and grabbed the scarf I was wearing. She chose me. Stardust has taught me how to not be selfish. She has taught me the importance of always be willing to take a nap. In typical cat fashion, she can be a jerk sometimes and I am pretty sure 96 percent of the time, she is plotting ways to kill me in my sleep. However, I love her dearly and how she has impacted my life.

Meet Hershey!

One Saturday myself, my teacher friend and fellow National Junior Honor Society co-sponsor, and some of our students went to volunteer at our local SPCA. I told my friend to not let me walk out of there with a puppy. Well, you can see how that went down. This little Australian Shepard had a rough start to life. He was abused and malnourished at such young age. He and his fellow brothers and sisters were rescued and bought back to health. When he was rescued at three weeks, he was covered in ticks and unable to eat on his own. Just like with Stardust, he chose me. When they let us play with the puppies his stunning blue eyes met up with mine and I was toast. There was no way I could walk away from this little one! Hershey has taught me about unconditional love, strength and that I am so out of shape! To say that he is hyper is and understatement, but I wouldn't change it in any way!

My little fur babies are the best things in my life. I made a choice to give them a home. I know that some people like to go through breeders to get their pets, and if you choose to do that, I'm OK with that, but think about adoption. Adopt the kitty, adopt the puppy, adopt the elderly dog or cat, adopt the dog or cat with special needs. The love that you get from them is the best!

Stardust and Hershey thanks for choosing me! Mama loves you!