On The Subject Of Pets ? mrmomman

Pets and kids. I just don?t get it. Why on earth, would a child want a pet? I don?t remember wanting a pet when I was a kid. The idea of purposely choosing to take care of another life seemed outrageous to me. Most of my neighbors were neglectful of their pets and they were all adults, so how could I be responsible enough for a pet?

My understanding is that having a pet teaches children responsibility. Maybe if I had one as a child I?d be more responsible. Or maybe I would have just killed it. I?m sure the earth is littered with the remains of children?s failed attempts at responsibility throughout the ages. I?d like to think I abstained from a pet for the simple fact that I knew it would die under my care. My family has a poor history of pet care (those stories are for another day).

Bottom line, I never wanted a pet and I still don?t want pets. I?m just not a pet person (an egregious sin, I know).

If I remember correctly, my wife only agreed to marry me if I would agree to one day owning a dog, especially when we had children because I?m told every child should have the opportunity to own a dog. I figured that by the time we had kids and they were old enough, at least one of them would be as opposed to the idea of having a dog as I am, thus saving me from ever having to own one.

Anybody want to guess whether or not my children want a dog?

If you guessed yes, give yourself a gold star. Of course they do, and they?ve already made more trips to various pet stores than I have in my entire life. The only thing that?s saved me from owning a dog is the expense of it. Animals, depending on how much you love them, I guess, can be almost expensive as children.

Given my kids? enduring desire for a pet, it seems owning one was inevitable. G?s asked for everything from a fish to a puppy to a snake. A fish is the most reasonable and un-fun pet there is, so that?s what G got.

The fish?s name is Jupiter, and while he (or maybe it?s a girl, I don?t know)?doesn?t do much, he?s quiet, not messy, requires very little food, and is pleasant to look at. Perhaps Jupiter will help prepare me for more responsibility one day.

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Source: http://mrmomman.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/on-the-subject-of-pets/

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