I love animals, but I don’t want any pets. It’s probably because I don’t want to be responsible for another living being.
Or to be responsible for torturing another living being.
After reading my daughter’s post about having to give the kitty antibiotics and an oral rinse in advance of dental extractions, I’m convinced I made the right choice to go companion-animal-free. I live alone – how in the world could I hold the cat over the sink, pry its mouth open and do what needed to be done? I’d be shredded like a bowl of coleslaw.
If you’re thinking of getting a pet, read Abby’s piece and decide whether you’re ready for such responsibility. Ditto if you’re thinking of having a baby; they don’t claw quite so much as cats, or bite quite so much as dogs, or require live mice to be dropped into their enclosures for constriction and consumption, but they present their own set of special challenges.
Submitted for your further reading pleasure:
Scripts for success: How to say “no” at Ask Liz Weston
The 77/11 effect: Will it hurt someone you know? at Manisha Thakor
Men: Why frugal is sexy at Wise Bread
Working with a financial planner at Consumerism Commentary
21 financial questions to improve your marriage at Christian PF
We are all being tracked now. What should we do about that? at The Red Tape Chronicles
The $5,000 speeding ticket at CarInsurance.com
8 frugal uses for dental floss at The Thrifty Mama
You’re on a journey, not a game show at BeckyBlanton.com
Are you cutting gas use? CAN you? at Funny About Money
Abby’s post had me doing that sympathy-laugh, because my husband and I have had to wrestle our cat to administer things like antibiotics before, and it’s a treat for NO ONE.
At least kids grow out of needing constant care eventually. Right? Right?!? It’s a little late for me to be asking these questions, isn’t it?
@Schmei: Oh, absolutely! Once they hit 18 your kids will never ask for a minute of your time or a dime of your money.
Well at least the dog never asks to borrow my car or money for college tuition! And I never have to worry about my pet impregnating the neighbor’s pet, lol! So they already have that over a baby.
But traveling and finding a petsitter for 3 dogs one of which is a (very hyper) great dane is a heck of a challenge.
Ditto here. We have 3 cats …wouldn’t trade them for anything. But DW and I agree when these guys “pass on” there will be no replacements. I share your DD’s pain as our “mother cat” was attacked some time ago and the wounds became infected. Cost us over $1100 for surgery, meds, etc. And I had to administer the meds as well as clean the stitches (agressively as the vet said) twice a day. No pic nic but she made it….and has been with us for 12 years.
well, I have a cat (and had another put down last year due to crystals in his bladder) and I’m happy to say that this one is pretty healthy. Although, when we first brought her home from the shelter, she had been spayed the day prior. she spent the next 3 days tearing out her stitches – quite cleanly – so that by sunday morning, I realized that her belly was completely open. I had to bring her to an animal hospital that put her under, cleaned her back up, and restitched her. Cost me $400. the shelter now had a rule that no animal can be adopted until AFTER their stitches have healed and are out.
I also have an almost 12 yo who eats like he’s 16 and bulking up for winter.
both pretty expensive but I wouldn’t know what to do without either one!
I have two-legged and four-legged beasts and I have on occasion tortured them. If you get lonely, they are all yours!