My Dad used to keep bees and recently gave me all of his boxes and other gear. I'm signed up to take a beekeeping class the first of March. Looking forward to it.
I have had as many as 5 hives in my yard with cats and dogs close at hand, the cats jump on the top of the hives, they walk right up to the hives when I am working them and there is no interaction. It is so fun to just sit and watch them!