I adore this story, Suleika! I, too, spent my life being a stray gatherer and rescuer, once having 6 cats, 8 dogs, and a pig, at one time, all rescues. Having moved from the spaciousness of the country to the city, and having aged along the way, my grand rescue days are past. But, still, I have a dog, two cats, and two guinea pigs, all rescues, and am searching for another dog that will complete are family of cast-offs.