Does this bother you too?

[COCatMama]

For some reason, It really burns my uhhh ears when I see a family with 4958495 skin kids and not one single bird/fish/hamster/cat/dog/pet rock. It makes me reeeeeealllllly sad. I was raised as an only child in a single parent home and tho most of my childhood was spent in apartment type dwellings we ALWAYS had pets of SOME kind, even tho my mom has allergies! We had budgies, fish, and I had several hamsters at different times. Then we moved out to the 'burbs and I finally was able to have the dog I had always wanted! I got my first dog when I was 10 years old. I am TOTALLY mystified by people that don't like animals at all, I have to wonder what kind of people they are being afraid of a dog or cat is a different matter entirely mind you....

[Cookiebaker]

Lalania, I would much rather see people being responsible in that if they don't have the time/money for pets that they don't get them. Furthermore, I am not convinced that children having pets is the best thing. If the parents don't have time to supervise the care of the animal, are you going to trust a typical 7 or 8 year old to remember to feed/groom etc etc. properly? Neither of my parents were "pet" people, and they didn't allow us to have anything besides fish & hermit crabs. But I respect their decision and know that when we were younger we didn't have the money that is necessary to take the dog to the vet's etc. etc. So don't let it make you mad, but just respect other people's decisions that they know what is best for them.

[COCatMama]

children are way way way more expensive than a hamster or budgie, both of our budgies were given to us by the family of an elderly woman who was going into a nursing home. I don't believe in people having kids if they can't afford for them, I mean one is one thing, but around here there are ppl on welfare that have like 3 + kids in ratty shoes and clothes, really makes me mad!!!! Juneau costs considerably less than a human kid would, and at this time I choose to have no children because a. I'm not married and b. Can't afford one.
I *DO* agree with you that smaller children should always be supervised with pets, absolutely! but I believe the best way to teach a child respect and kindness towards animals is to have one and to be VERY strict about how they treat the animal. I used to babysit my friend's sons, and I would not allow them to even kill ants or flies or any insect. When my friend got cats those boys were *so* gentle with them it was a beautiful thing. It warmed my heart to see Jayeson curled up on the couch with one of the cats purring away.aaaawwwwwww still brings a tear to my eye .

[COCatMama]

Well said PPB, also I feel that there are SO many unwanted animals that so desperately need a loving home out there, heck for that matter skin kids, people should think twice about having a huge family of bio kids. Myself, I would be perfectly happy with a house full of animals one day I will have that!! somehow! and Juneau will finally have a playmate, or 3

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by popcornbird
I believe that the best way to teach a child responsibility, is by getting them a pet. .

My Friends family got there 8 year old Daughter a dog, A pretty little Sheltie girl to help her learn responsiblity. The dog, now 8 years later, lives its life outside tied to a dog house, only gets feed once or twice a week because its the daughters dog not the parents, so they feel she should feed her not them, Great way of teaching her responsiblity. I'm not sayign all cases are like this, but sadly there are, because pets are a good way of teaching responsiblity they feel the child should have a pet. Before any parent gets there child a pet tehy need to understand a pet is a life not some tool to help a child learn.

Ash

[HoRsELUvR]

I everyone should have the companionship of a trusty animal, as long as they can offer it a good home

[COCatMama]

umm that sounds like animal neglect to me! if one of my 'friends' treated their pet like that, I wouldn't be their friend anymore....
My dog sleeps on pillows, is free fed (that means constant access to food) sometimes he even gets *filtered* water, lol. I am not a perfect dog parent, probably don't comb him as often as I should, sometimes sneak him some human food etc.

Your friends ought to punish that kid for not treating that animal better and it's unfair to the dog to not feed it just because their kid isn't doing it, they should literally take the kid by the hand, make her scoop the food and give it to the dog.

My mom sure as heck didn't rely on me as an 8 year old to totally look after an animal all by myself, we looked after my hamster and budgies and fish together. Even when I was 10 I did not have total responsibility for my first dog! We both fed and walked him and stuff.

[Karen]

My own sister's children have grown up without pets. My sister is very allergic to cats, and has been her whole life. Her house is too busy to keep a dog happy, and she is also now allergic to them - in fact to anything with feathers or fur. Sigh. And as she and her husband both work full time, and have between them about 35 piano students as well, and until a year ago, my sister was taking classes toward her Master's, they made the decision that it would be best not to get a pet that couldn't be properly taken care of. That would not be a good lesson for their kids.

I respect that, (though I do hassle the heck out of her for that). But their kids have experienced the rest of the pets in the family their whole lives - my nephew used to refer to my parents' house as "GrammaGrandpaGracies!" (Gracie was the Great Dane.) And if, when she grows up, my niece did not inherit her Mom's allergies, I KNOW she'll get a pet - maybe a bunny or a kittie or a doggie. She has wished for all of them at one point!

[COCatMama]

Like I said, my mom was a single parent who btw worked and was not on social assistance, she paid all the bills ALONE..no family nearby to help out. she got a lousy 150 bucks a month or something for child support from my biological father. My mom is deathly allergic to cats *and* dogs and has a sneezing fit around Juneau but loves him anyway. Your sister could get one of those ghastly looking hairless cats or one of those crested whatsits...those ugly/cute dogs. or a pet fish? reptile? I believe if you have time for children, you have the time for a small pet. or a Chia pet??? hehe. I could not imagine not having an animal in my life, yuck!

[moosmom]

Your sister could get one of those ghastly looking hairless cats

AHEM!!!! Ghastly looking hairless cats??? I'll have you know that although MooShoo MAY not be beautiful on the outside to SOME people, he's the most loyal, loving (Aside from my beloved Bubba ) cat I've been owned by. Ever hear the saying "DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER?????

How can you make that kind of off-the-wall comment?? I suppose you also think that all bald people are ghastly too.

[COCatMama]

I was mostly joking...altho I do think hairless animals DO look rather odd, and in no way was I attempting to make a comment on the behaviour/personality of your pets, I'm sure they're awesome. And as I have stated before I think all living things are beautiful in their own way.
I have heard hairless animals are less likely to trigger allergies in humans. If i offended you in some way, I do apologize.

[toughCookie]

I think kids should have pets. but thats my opinion. its up to them, maybe the kids have allergies, like my nephews, so they couldn't have cats or dogs, but had gerbils, and have a snake.(yuk)
I think it's up to each person/family,it doesn't make me mad or anything, I too, feel kind of bad for the kids!
I know someone that is going to get a dog when they can get the certain kind from the breeder, has to be a small, non-shedding dog...and I was thinking oh for goodness sakes, get the kids a big slobberly DOG!! ( not a toy ) LOL

[Karen]

Originally posted by Lalania
I believe if you have time for children, you have the time for a small pet. or a Chia pet??? hehe. I could not imagine not having an animal in my life, yuck!

Any plants given to my sister die within a month, from lack of water. Would you wish that on an animal? She is currently recovering at home from surgery, and called me to say someone sent her some very pretty African Violets - and how sad she was that the person had unknowingly sent them to their doom! (I told her maybe her daughter, age 8, could be taught to water the poor things.)

She is a grown person, a responsible person, and manages a lot. Tell you what - once YOU have children, ( and in her case two jobs) then you can argue whether that automatically makes you have time for a pet! And by the way, it's the skin - the dander - that causes allergies, not the hair itself.

To each his or her own decision. I honestly believe that.

[Uabassoon]

FOr some reason I seem to never be able to keep plants alive. I try so hard, but somehow they always quickly go to the plant rainbow bridge. I think with a plant I always think, we'll I'm on my way out so I can water it later and it won't make a difference. But if my cats need water then I do it right away because I know they need it then. I always had pets as a kid, I really didn't have too much of the responsibilities, but it taught me how to be patient and gentle.

[Uabassoon]

Oh and.. I think if I ever decide to have children I would have a cat. Because I've read that having cats when children are young are less likely to develop allergies and asthsma.