We've been married 32 years and have had animals the entire time. Our dogs have all been rescues and are a part of our family. This is the reason my Bernina is NOT in my home. I don't want dog hair around it so my sewing room is in my shop. I have a rented office space in town for all of my paint-sprayers-wallpaper-ladders etc. ( I'm a painter) It started out with my Bernina in one little corner of the room. Now all of my painting supplies have been squished into a little less than half of the room and my sewing has taken over the rest! I love my little shop/sewing room. I go in there and there's no supper to cook-no laundry-no one bothering me- I just go in there and sew and sew and sew. I have it all painted up bright and cheery and I just love it there!