I wonder what lesson the 9-year-old will learn from this. Maybe that when Mom's too old to "play" anymore, she should be dumped in a nursing home and ignored?

I hope he remembers his tears, and your entirely justified anger, and grows up to believe that pets are not playthings to be used up and thrown away.

It's good and generous of you to take Carrie in. Poor sweet girl! My Keke only made it to 13--I would have given anything to have had her around a little longer.