Freedom,
There is so much life experience in your response--thank you.
I can't begin to wrap my mind around what it must've taken for you to pull yourself up out of the muck, get clean, go to school, and make a new life for yourself.
Was there one particular thing that made you say "enough"?
Also, OT here, I love the photos of your dogs. I want dogs really badly, but it's not the right time in my life. I made liver brownies last week for some dogs who live down the street.