Originally posted by Twisterdog


I think it is FAR, FAR worse for uncommited parents to get a pet "for the kids, to teach them responsiblity", than to not have a pet at all. What these parents usually teach their kids is that its ok to get a living creature, treat it well until the "new wears off", then either toss it in the backyard, let it die from neglect, or take it to the shelter. Every pet I've gotten "for my son", I was firmly aware that the responsibility was ultimately mine for the animal, him being a child and me being an adult. But there's a lot of parents that view "the kids' dog" they same way the view "the kids' bike" or "the kids' scooter" ... amusing for the kids for a while, but when they lose interest, it's just in the way and we'll get rid of it and get something new. These people should NOT have pets, they are doing their kids NO favors.
AMEN SISTER! Couldn't have said it better.