I like how you say that pets are here to teach us, which is very true and a good thing to point out. When we get that first pet as a child we are starting to learn responsibility and care for another life, as we get older and our view n the world starts to change an grow with us our pets are then there to share life's joys and sorrows with us, they do so much for us and truly ask so little of us, just some food, some play, and some love.
Dude - get everyone @ Hillers into Thrill The World - it's been going on for a couple of years but I'm willing to bet that this year will be the hugest!
You learn the actual dance off videos that they've uploaded to youtube - it's PRETTY sweeeeeeeeeeet! Learn Thriller!
If Hillars people are "too cool" I say you learn it and come and do with with me and my friends in TO.
PS - My brother is TOTALLY one of the dudes that pulls the FREE HUG sign. I used to work as a gallery assistant when I lived in Montreal and I was alone at the gallery one day and he came to hang out and he was like WE NEED MORE PEOPLE IN HERE! He ended up putting a free hugs sign in the window and everyone who came he was like "are you here for a hug?!" and they were like uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no, I'm here to see some art.