Awwww we come from families with pets so I know exactly what you mean Lynn.

I have never been without a dog in the house hold, except when I first got married. We lived where we couldn't have a dog. No dog for one year.

I haven't had one for years...lived in apartment for years where no dogs were allowed. Then, when we got a house, I fell in love with gardening, my refuge/stress reliever from a hectic work schedule.

Gardening is certainly a stress reliever.