I just wondered how many of you grew up with pets in the household and how many adopted their first pet when reaching adulthood (well, now, I don't want to discuss what adulthood involves !! I just meant when you live on your own, or are able to make your own decisions!)

I'm sure everyone has a special story on how they became attached to pets, but maybe (just maybe) owning, loving a pet means different things to a child or to an adult.

In my case, I had Sirocco (for those who don't venture the cat zone, he's my 10-months-old cat, yes the one in the avatar !) just when I moved from my parent's home. I wasn't allowed to have pets as a girl , for my Dad doesn't like cats, and thinks dogs should live in large houses, not in flats (as we do!). I took Sirocco in cause I longed to have a pet since I was a child, and everytime I look at Siro I can say I don't regret at all! It makes me feel like a child when we're playing, but also makes me realise I have a responsability now that I an on my own, and this is not the least of the joys Sirocco brings me!

I believe there isn't any difference in the love we have for our animals, having had them when we were children or getting to know them when we are older (another point is that when we are with our pets, we all are young at heart!!) but I thought it would be nice to share our experiences here (is there a better place in the world for that than this ?)!!

Nita