I've grown up with pets all my life. From dogs (mostly medium-sized breeds like Boxers and Labs, but I've been around my maternal grandparent's Yorkie when I was younger), to rabbits, a hamster, and now cats.
Feeding them playing with them, cleaning up after them, I've done it all.
We treat them like family, feed them well ( adequate portions of good quality food), give them treats, and take them on walks, making sure when they do go on walks, then it's in the early morning before things get hot, or in the afternoon and early evening when things cool down, and if necessary taking them to the vet when they don't feel well.