I have nothing against animals. I don't want them to be caused any harm. I put spiders outside instead of squashing them. I like to snuggle up with my parents' little dogs when I go home for a visit. I tear up at those godforsaken Sarah MacLachlan commercials like any human with a soul. But I didn't grow up with cuddly, high maintenance pets and that's probably why I have no innate desire to bring one into my home. I like other people's animals just fine but, as I'm sure people who choose not to have kids feel, when it's time to go you give them a pat on the head and go about your non-dependent life without a second thought. Mike grew up with dogs and is definitely a dog person. He would get a dog in a second if the realities of having a dog in the city without any real outdoor space weren't a factor, but they are a factor and so there's no strife between us in that regard.
With HR, Mike and I have decided to take a similar approach to pets in to how we're approaching religion: answer any questions along the way as best we can, expose him to family traditions on both sides, teach him the basic principles of love and care, then when he's old enough he can decide on his own path. Meaning, if he wants a dog/cat/turtle/gerbil/alpaca, he is going to have to embark on that journey with an adult understanding and full responsibility. We'll support him, but we're not cleaning up the poop. I do believe that learning how to take care of another living thing is very important for kids, but I'm happy with that living thing being a goldfish.
Oh yeah, we got goldfish this weekend. Probably a good time to invest in this book.
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