Let's talk about animals today!
1. What pets do you have or have you had? Do you have any now or if not, why not?
As an adult I've only owned a cat because most of the time I've lived in the city where animals are often not permitted in rental or condo owned properties. As a child, we often had a dog, sometimes, kittens, sometimes goldfish and turtles and other times budgies. We lived in a small town in a stand alone house so it was much easier to have animals.
Update: After reading Susan's answers I was reminded that our childhood homes also housed the occasional hamsters, guinea pigs and pet mice!
2. How did you find names for your animal friends? What are their names?
We just picked names that appealed to us. We had a German Shepard named Jerry and a chihuahua named Ginger due to her colouring. I don't think the other animals, fish and birds were named. The kittens usually didn't last in our household because mom was afraid of kittens and cats so she often made us give them away after a short while. At least she tried to give us what we wanted.
3. Any special or funny story concerning pets you would like to share? It could be someone else's as well as your own.
We had a German Shepard named Rex. My dad brought him home one day. He had been an abused dog and tied up all of his short life. He was really still a pup about 6 months old but quite large and I was afraid of him. He would jump on my backend push me down and try to bite me if I ran after my siblings while we were playing in the yard. One day Rex disappeared. Many months later my dad came across him in someone else yard but it seems Rex wasn't that bonded to us since he never stayed with us that long before he was stolen. So dad left him where he was. Let's say I did not mind! LOL.
4. What benefit do you find having animals in your family? What are the cons of having them?
I've read that studies show animals can be good for one's physical (blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride levels) and mental health (loneliness, anxiety, symptoms of PTSC). My own opinion is that these benefits are probably there if the animal/s don't come with big issues of their own, especially behavioral ones.
Animals can also teach children responsibility though I often hear mother's complain about how they are left to raise and look after a pet that the children have begged for and promised to look after.
The cons of a pet are probably the high costs in terms of money and time. These days are not like the old days. People nowadays spend a lot on the health care for a pet or the insurance for a pet's health care and food and other accessories for pets is a big cost.
Time-wise the last cat I owned required me to do a lot of work to vacuum up her hair, keep herlitter clean, buy her food and litter and also time required to keep her well groomed (brushing, claws clipped, teeth cleaned and fur balls kept at bay). I was asked by a good friend to give a home to a stray cat she had taken in so I did. But after my dear cat died, I needed time to grieve her. After that I couldn't muster up the energy to get another pet. and care for it because I was having health issues. I would still like another cat but I'm not sure when the timing will be right.
