Our middle child, Emma, has always had a deep affection for animals. At just 3 years old, she named her baby doll “Pony,” and over the past eight years, her obsessions have shifted from horses to cats, then eagles, and now, owls.
In contrast, our eldest daughter, Maya, isn’t as enamored with animals, but she spent her childhood urging us to adopt a family pet. Every time we visited friends with dogs or cats, both girls would passionately argue that we “needed” a furry companion, insisting that their lives depended on finding one.
For years, we lived in rental homes that didn’t permit pets. Even in places where pets were allowed, we found reasons to decline: our lives were too unsettled, pet deposits were costly, or we had significant travel plans on the horizon. We promised our kids that if we ever settled in a pet-friendly home, we’d think about it, but for now, their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Then we stumbled upon a video about sugar gliders. If you’ve never seen one, they’re incredibly fascinating and adorable. The kids tried to persuade us to get one, but after thorough research, we learned that they aren’t ideal pets. However, we discovered that rats — yes, those little critters — could actually make wonderful companions. They are smart, social, and surprisingly charming if you can overlook their odd tails. Plus, since they live in cages, our landlord approved.
Before we knew it, we found ourselves at a local rat breeder’s place, merely to explore the baby rat options. Have you ever seen a baby rat? Utterly adorable! The kids promised they would take impeccable care of them, assuring us they would clean the cage weekly and maintain their food and water supply without reminders. So, we relented and brought home two rats, named Coco and Shadow.
Did the kids keep their promises about caring for the rats? Sure, for about two weeks. After that, their commitment waned, revealing that childhood promises about pet care often hold little weight.
Logically, the consequence for neglecting their duties would be to lose the pets, but we wanted to give them a chance to prove themselves. Besides, the breeder had made us sign an agreement to treat the rats as family members, and we couldn’t just abandon them — they were too sweet!
Eventually, we settled into our own home, and the kids reminded us of our promise. We reminded them of their lack of responsibility regarding the rats. Surprisingly, they stepped up and became dedicated rat owners. But those little furballs were persistent, and they earned some consideration.
So, without making any commitments, we decided to visit the local animal shelter to check out the kittens. We should have known better. Kittens at shelters are irresistibly cute, and it’s nearly impossible to leave without one. Even my husband, who had previously resisted the idea of a pet due to concerns about fur on the furniture, fell for a charming black kitten who purred and cuddled his way into our hearts. I was hesitant to rush, but Emma had become attached to this kitten, and we ended up bringing it home.
Once again, our kids assured us they would fully take on the responsibility of this new addition. They promised they would never complain about cleaning up after the kitten, vowing to sweep and vacuum without needing reminders.
But alas, those were empty promises.
And just like that, we found ourselves charting chores, setting consequences, and giving sincere reminders about responsibilities. We grumbled when the kitten inexplicably peed on our favorite hiking backpack and sighed over claw marks on the furniture. We winced at the thought of future vet visits after the initial $150 bill. It was a challenge every time we needed to arrange pet-sitting while traveling.
And what did we do next? We adopted another kitten, because the allure of those adorable little faces is impossible to resist.
I genuinely adore our two cats and our rats (we’re on our fifth and sixth rats, by the way). They bring joy and warmth into our home. However, I wish I had considered how quickly the kids would tire of the work that comes with pet ownership. If your child dreams of having a pet, be aware that until they can drive themselves to the vet or effectively clean up a mess, much of the responsibility will fall on you.
I’m a cat lover, so it’s a minor inconvenience for me, but if you’re not keen on caring for animals, stay firm in your decision. Your kids’ pets will ultimately become your pets, regardless of their promises. If you’re not ready for a family pet, don’t let them charm you into it. Avoid the local animal shelter, and definitely steer clear of gazing into any kitten or puppy’s eyes. The cuteness is a vortex, and once you’re in, there’s no turning back.
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Summary:
Navigating the world of pet ownership can be a delightful yet challenging experience for families. As kids often promise to take care of their pets, the reality may differ, placing the responsibility on parents. If you’re not ready for the commitment, it’s vital to hold firm against those irresistible eyes of kittens and puppies.