That really choked me up...you need to put "Kleenex Warning" in the thread title.

I can't imagine life without any of my non-human kids...furred or scaled, it doesn't matter. I love them all very deeply, they're my best friends and no part of their care ever feels like a burden. I would much rather spend my last few bucks on a treat or toy for them than something for me. If something happened that threatened my ability to keep them, then I would just do without if it meant they could still be with me.