I know, I know, you all were right. You all told me I would change my mind about pets when I had kids. As most of you know, Matt and I have been adamantly against pets. My friends have
pet stories to give you nightmares. I have enough poop and vomit to clean up without having an animal to add to it. I like my furniture and clothes sans hair, and don't get me started about the wet dog smell. It's been hard to stand against the heart tugs when I watch the kids fawn over
some one's adorable puppy, or when I saw how much joy both Titus and Katie had gorging Mom's dog,
Fozzy, with his own dog food. And it was too cute to see Titus puffed up with power when he realized he could yell at the cats to get off the furniture. But I stood strong and pushed those feelings deep down.
Even two weeks at my parents' with their two cats and a dog didn't melt this cold, hard heart. But I relented when a friend gave Katie the perfect pet. Katie loves this pet. I overheard her scolding Mary (her pet's name) saying, "How many times do I have to tell you not to run away?" She happily leads her pet by the leash all over the yard. Mary, the best pet ever, is a painted egg carton caterpillar!
Katie holding Mary
17 comments:
Oh my gosh, I am sitting here laughing my head off. She has an egg carton caterpillar named Mary. How hilarious. Thanks exactly the kind of pet I want my girls to have when they are older. At the beginning of this blog I was like, "No, no, no, you didn't get a pet did you." Like you I am very against pets too at least in my house, if other people want them I'm great with that because I know they need love from someone but not me. I'm afraid that I will give in someday because Steve loves pets and he thinks our kids need to grow up with them. Anyway, I am happy that Katie is happy with her pet Mary. I love how she talks to it and scolds it. Definitely the best pet ever.
Oops, I meant That's exactly, not Thanks exactly.
Come on, what's so bad about pets?
Heather, I know people think it is a necessary part of childhood to have a pet. Matt and I both grew up in homes with pets, and neither of us thought they enriched our lives that much. I'm not ruling out the possibility we will get a pet some day, but God will have to change our hearts first. I don't understand the point. Our kids will enjoy it that much more when they are grown and can have pets if we deny them pets now. Who says we aren't providing them a great opportunity to learn delayed gratification? Perhaps we are the ones who are not spoiling our kids by not giving in to their whimsical desires for animals. It's not like animals are eternal and will be in heaven with us. They are just another worldly thing we should keep in perspective.
Ashley,
There is nothing wrong with pets. I know I am in the minority when it comes to pets. I believe animals are a blessing from God, and I'm happy if people love their pets and get satisfaction from them. For whatever reason, I find no emotional satisfaction in animals for animals' sake. I will be the first one in line for a cat if we ever have a problem with mice. And I would consider a dog if Matt had to be out of town regularly. But I don't get any pay off from animals to compensate for all the hassle and expense that comes with them. I embrace whole heartedly the hassle and expense of children. I get major satisfaction from them and view the trouble as a light thing compared to the blessing. I don't understand the pet thing, though. Again, I don't think there is anything wrong with other people having pets.
I must be missing the pet appreciation gene because every other member of my family, both parents, all four brothers, and my sister, love pets. I'm the defective one apparently.
hmmmmm, to each his own then I reckon, don't you? :)
But I'm glad Katie is getting her pet appreciation gene tuned and well oiled even if it is just with an egg carton caterpillar.
Laughing along with Heather!
Yes, I am in the minority too. I know that the majority of people love pets and that's great. I think they can serve a purpose for many people. My parents were not really animal lovers until recently as they have gotten older and all the kids are out of the house. Now, they have a little dog that they adore and treat almost like a child. I'm happy that my mom has him at home to keep her company. Like you said Annie, something in me just doesn't yearn for the companionship of a pet. Mostly I just have trouble with the hair, the wet noses rubbing against me, the jumping up, the barking if it's a dog, etc. There just are some of us out there that are not animal lovers and that's o.k. I guess when I find a friend or relative who is on the same page as me I like to joke with them about it because not many people feel the way I do about pets, so don't worry Ash, I'm mostly just joking around with Andrea. I like to look at pets from a distance and I am glad they make other people happy.
I'm sorry, I'm correcting myself. I just said that you said that something in you doesn't yearn for the companionship of an animal. You actually said, "For whatever reason, I find no satisfaction in animals for animals' sake." Just wanted to clear that up so I'm not putting words in your mouth but I agree with you is what I was trying to get at.
Heather,
You said, "when I find a friend or relative who is on the same page as me I like to joke with them about it because not many people feel the way I do about pets."
You're not kidding. Do you get the response insinuating you must be a monster because you don't care for pets? The look of disgust and horror? I think it's more socially acceptable to not like children than to not like pets.
I love animals, especially when they're little. But cleaning up the messes isin't wonderful. It is good to hear other people's opinions, and appreciate them.
We want doggies, but no doggies until the girls are old enough to help with cleanings, and feedings. I just do not have the time, patience, energy, to have a dog around the house right now. NO THANK YOU, plus no room. When we have a yard, and when the girls can pull their weight, then it will be alright.
Good luck with that, Andrea. I tried it on Penny--a glass doggie a few years ago, but she insisted on a dog that would bark to scare away the bad guys and make her feel secure, especially when I'm not home. Glass didn't do it. I suspect an egg-carton will prove to be rather boring after a while, too.
Heather, I had no reason to worry about anything.
Bud,
You are of course right. I see the cracks in my armor already. When Kate's sweet little voice asked me yesterday if I thought she could have a pet some day, I wanted to say, "Yes, you can have anything your heart desires." It's so fun to see her get excited. But thankfully my armor is still intact even if weakening.
Okay. This is just downright sad. I'm laughing my head off, of course. You are such a strong woman. We have two dogs, a guinea pig, and a fish because I am weak. I guess my boys have me wrapped around their little pinky fingers, but I get around them by having them do some pet duties. Ha.
Hi Andrea, I just wanted to tell you that I am tagging you. Hop over to Striving and read about being tagged, let me know if you are willing.
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