My kids want a pet. My husband wants a pet. I do not want a pet. Alexis asks continuously for an animal, of any kind. Jessica doesn't understand why we can't get a dog. And Nathan needs something to torture. Scottie, who has always had animals, doesn't think it is fair that we don't have any pets. So why is it you ask that we do not have a pet? Let me explain this to you.
First, I believe pets are good things. Some animal such as dogs and cats can be lifelong friends. Other animals such as fish tend to have a calming effect. And critters such as ferrets, hamsters, and sugar gliders make for interesting conversation. All pets teach and enhance responsibility, and in this lies the problem. Teaching responsibility a problem? Yes, my friend, it is. For in order to teach responsibility, you must first have a basis of responsibility to build upon.
I must ask my family a few things to ensure they are ready for a pet. If you are not responsible enough to pick up your own dirty underwear off of the bathroom floor, you probably won't remeber to clean the hamster cage, right? If you are only here 10 days out of the month, suffice it to say, your dog might not get walked enough. If you can't remember where your pink shoes are, how are you going to remember to feed the cat? If you eat rocks, are the fish really safe?
They may argue that as a family, whatever pet we choose should be a group responsibity, and I will agree to that as long as everyone agrees to the type of pet we have. You see, I do not like dogs, my husband does not like cats. That limits the pet options greatly.
Don't get me wrong, I want my kids to have a pet at some point. I think they should be older first. But I also believe that the family should exhibit a little more responsibility before we bring in another baby to care for. What do you think? Does your family have a pet? What is it? Who wanted it? Does that person provide the primary care for it or does someone else? Am I just a meanie?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
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6 comments:
They gotta do the responsibility thing before they do the pet thing! Or else the responsibility thing will never get done, and guess who's gonna be taking care of the pet!!
Stand firm!!!!
I agree. They must be able to care for the pet themselves before they can have one. I'd start out with a goldfish and see how it goes.
patience: I am firm, the little kids are way too young for a pet anyway, but of course they still ask.
asianmommy: I would actually like to have fish, I have had them before and they are easy. I just don't want my son to try to play with them. And he would....no matter what precautions I take.
We have 2 dogs, a cat, bunnies, birds and a ginuea pig. Oh, and fish. My kids are older - 13, 17, and 20..I still have to keep on them to help.
Mind you, my shorkie is the love of my life and I would not trade her for anything, help or not.
Oh, we have mice, too. The pet kind.
I must be crazy.
Biddie: You just may be crazy....but at least you are not lonely.
I say no to the pet...My kids begged for a dog. Our last one had to be put down so now we are the owners of his "daddy" a 7 year old dwarf long hair dachshund. Did I mention I work fulltime, have 4 kids under the age of 15 and a husband and an evil cat...What we need is a wife...someone who will cook, clean and do laundry all day.
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