Kids and Pets

Originally I started this post just to post about B's new pet fish (more later).  But between the time that I took the pictures to today, things have changed and I just wanted to address pets in general.  

(Later already). . . So -- B got a pet fish.  :)  I sent out a massive, possibly somewhat obnoxious message to all of our family before her birthday with a list of things she wanted, and my sister jumped on the "pet fish" item.  Her oldest son was only 2 when I bought him his first pet fish, so it was her turn :)

Once the craziness from the day (birthday party) died down, we got the fish settled.  B loves her. . . she promptly decided to name her "Sandy". . . which Lee thinks is from "Finding Nemo", and I'm starting to think it's from the Starfish on "Jake and the Neverland Pirates". . . but regardless, Sandy is well loved.  

She started her first night in her new
home on B's night stand.  I may or may not have failed to mention the fish to my husband (who had left for work when it was gifted to her). . . and Sandy was quickly dumped over in the morning by our youngest daughter while B and I were at Sunday school.  Luckily, despite a rather long time she spend out of water on our rug. . . Sandy somehow survived.  She has since moved to a few other locations, but is finally resting peacefully on B's build-in shelves in her bedroom.  Down far enough to see without a stool, but high enough to keep from getting knocked over again!

 The most exciting part of the girls day seems to be when it's Sandy's feeding time.  Between feeding the dogs and feeding the fish, for whatever reason they are obsessed.  A relative of our posted a clipping recently on their facebook page that had chores for children, and of them listed feeding the pets.  What a great thing for them to do!  And a great way to teach them responsibility for others.  So now I'm going to change the subject around a little and reminisce.  Maybe go off on a bit of a tangent.

Just a few days ago, we lost or pet rabbit, "Kitty".   We got her when she was just a wee little baby in 2007.  I've always loved cats, but since my husband is allergic I settled on a rabbit.  We litter box trained her -- she was great with our boxer-mix and could roam around our house when we were around to supervise.  I trained her to target on a pole and sit-up on command.  She tolerated the many additions to our family in the years to follow. . . from Sierra (our tri-pawed pit-mix) to our children.  She was sweet, tolerant, and darn cute!!  But as the family grew, we were able to take her out of her cage less and less.  Regardless, the girls ADORED her.  Every time we would leave the house, S would squeal and poke at her through her cage to say "hello" and "goodbye".  Luckily, they've both taken her loss really well.  B had LOTS of questions, and I'm still not sure she fully comprehends what has happened, but it's something we're talking about and teaching her more about every day.  "Maybe we can give her some carrots to feel better and be alive!" takes some explaining to work through.

 There are MANY, MANY, many days when I am grumbling over the trouble that our pets cause.  You have to feed them, clean them, train them, wash them. . . deal with them barking when your baby is napping and stealing their crackers when they are awake.  BUT (**BUT**) pets are still important.

  Pets teach our children about unconditional love.  No matter how bad your day has been, they always are there for you.  A dog will pretty much always want to play, always welcome a snuggle, and will always be there to sit with you when you need company.  Everyone knows petting a dog lowers stress and anxiety, and I even read a study recently that showed that 40% of 5 year olds said that when they felt sad, angry, afraid, or had a secret to share that they would go to their pet. :)

Not only that, but with a pet it helps children understand what it means to have someone rely on them for their health and happiness.  It's teaches empathy.  In some cases, it teaches consequences like "If you aren't careful with the fish, it will die!"(ahhh!) or more light-hearted: "If you leave our your toy, the dog might chew it up".  Even just in the short time we've had Sandy, it's help B understand what it means to have commitment.  With Kitty, she's just recently learned about the Circle of Life. . . which has been hard, but so much easier for me to explain now, instead of after loosing a close friend or relative.

Pets are fun.  They're entertaining.  They have so much more of a purpose than you originally think.  So if you have the space, time and love in your heart. . . go adopt a pet in need!!!