 |
| Teegee: So Yollie what do you think? |
I just wanted to share my thoughts
regarding this question....
regarding this question....
I don't like to offend and don't for a minute think people intentionally provide an inappropriate or inadequate environment for their pets, but sadly this is often the case.
Especially when the decision is made when
unprepared or for the wrong reasons or on impulse
Especially when the decision is made when
unprepared or for the wrong reasons or on impulse
or at the whim of a child or.... .... ....
It is ever so common for the 'first' pets ie, guinea pigs, mice, rats, bunnies, fish etc. to suffer from this decision.
It is ever so common for the 'first' pets ie, guinea pigs, mice, rats, bunnies, fish etc. to suffer from this decision.
It is a sad fact that humans place these pets as the 'pocket' or 'easy' care, 'good for kids' category which is WRONG!!
I say a pet ROCK is a good first pet for a child. My child had one. She had to show (by role-play) everyday that she was responsible for the blessed
innate object before I would consider extending
our fur-family. And, should the 'rock' be forgotten, not interesting/cute/active/calm enough for the child, no matter, no harm done, IT'S A ROCK!
innate object before I would consider extending
our fur-family. And, should the 'rock' be forgotten, not interesting/cute/active/calm enough for the child, no matter, no harm done, IT'S A ROCK!
So I firmly say, don't buy a pet for the children choose a nice rock and decorate it. If you do
extend your family with a pet then it is the adults pet and responsibility.
extend your family with a pet then it is the adults pet and responsibility.
Think of it as adding a 'sibling' to the household and you will understand what I mean.
 |
| "Sir Chester the Mouser" 2001 - 2012 |
 |
| Holly 2001- 2014 |
Here is our story.....
My husband and I have always been blessed with furbabies since before my girl was born. Living this way is all she has ever know and thus she treats them as we taught her to, like her siblings and her elders.
She wanted him, but he was MINE! This was made very clear from day one. She was allowed to assist in all responsibilities of owning a pet- the only difference, she was assisting as they were not 'her' but my responsibility and only ever under my close supervision.
 |
| Lady Tinkerbelle with her chicks |
 |
| Princess Willow the Fearless Feline |
and helpful in their care but knows ultimately they are Mummy's
'NO! We don't pick up our bunnies, they have 4 good feet of their own!!'
She then tells them to crouch down and have a 'cuddle' on the ground. To which they do and everyone and "bun" is happy!!
 |
| Miss Princess with L-R Teegee and Angel |
 |
| L-R Patches, Angel, Teegee, Sweetie |
If anyone asks me if they should get a pet (any kind) for their kids I firmly reply NO, decorate a pet rock!!! But then I tell them my story.
Should you be in this situation and, after reading
my story and think that an addition to your family
is an option and that you can provide everything your pet needs for the life of your pet then I say, visit a shelter and save a life. Just ask Belle and Ariel (ex-battery cage hens) and they will tell you
it is the best feeling in the world to be free and loved!
my story and think that an addition to your family
is an option and that you can provide everything your pet needs for the life of your pet then I say, visit a shelter and save a life. Just ask Belle and Ariel (ex-battery cage hens) and they will tell you
it is the best feeling in the world to be free and loved!
Till next time, Yollie signing off....keep well everyone and bun ;o) xoxox
Sorry everyone, nearly forgot and Sweetie would have my guts for garters - this weeks audience : welcome first timers in Pakistan and Brazil and thanks to everyone for stopping by -
as Sweetie says, 'Don't be shy, and hop by to say hi!'
|
7 comments:
I completely agree with you, fab post and big hugs to the furry gang! xx
Very well said--I volunteer with the local chapter of the House Rabbit Society and we get so many people who want to get a rabbit for their children. We explain to them that we do not adopt out to children, only to adults and that they would have to be the ones assuming responsibility for the rabbit and why. Some understand and take responsibility, but there are always some that end up giving the rabbit back because the child has lost interest. You ask them why they got the pet for the child and they say "Oh, I wanted to teach them how to take care of a pet/teach them some responsibility." Well, congratulations--all you've taught your child is that pets are disposable; if you don't feel like taking care of one, just give it away.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.
I know many don't like to speak up regarding this and that is exactly why I thought it important to blog.
@mimilove, thanks and xoxoxox from everyone (fur, skin, feathered and scaled!!)
@Jade, I take my hat off to you ;o) - I totally agree that pet's do not teach children responsibility, as you say, only - heart ache and that it's 'ok' to let a living breathing creature suffer or be discarded or worse!! It makes me fume....
Pets do not teach children responsibility, the children's parents (or guardians) do, by example!!
Ok stepping off the soap box, I have already had my bit to say, sorry....
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and take care - give Mr Mick a kiss from all of us xx
I'm glad I was finally able to get in to read your blog. My office computer doesn't liek to load your blog properly.
Couldn't have said it better. Your daughter sounds like the kind of child I would actually like :)
At my local rescue, some of the volunteers generally as a rule won't consider a home with a child for an adoptable bun. They instead put the impetus on the parent AND child to prove that this is the right kind of family setting. That means parents who supervise all interactions closely, who are the ones asking about care, who actually listen when you educate them, who don't say the pet is for the child, and a child who is patient with the bunny. You can sometimes tell immediately and can usually be sure after about 20 minutes or an hour.
@ Lisa, thanks for your comment and I am glad you got to read the post too as I love your work! That sounds like a great idea at your local shelter regarding children and pets. And yes my little human is a keeper - he he ;o)
Very good Thank You. We make it a practice of saying no to anyone with children under 10. Just works better that way for adopting.
It is refreshing to hear someone teaching their children this way.
This thread was taken from our Face book Page, but very powerful so we will also share it here :) Sweetie xoxo
Jesykah Kralik The examples we set for children have an effect on the way they see things for their entire lives, and not too many people think about that. MY story? When I was a little girl, maybe about 6, I woke up on easter morning to find a real, live bunny hopping around the living room. I was thrilled! For about two weeks, at which point I found that bunnies don't cuddle, but they DO poop. A lot. My nana was the one who thought an easter bunny would be a great idea for the little girl, so my nana stepped up and took the bun back. Nana and Samantha had many happy years together, and it wasn't until i was much older that I found out that most easter bunnies have much shorter, sadder lives. This one incident set a precedent for me - animals are for keeps!
The Residents of Fairy Castle Farm Oh that is such a powerful story Jesykah Kralik - (((hugs))) thank you so much for sharing - your Nana sounds like a wonderful lady and I am sure Samantha was most thankful of that ... It is sad that so many don't have a happy ending like yours . Would you mind if I cut and paste your comment to add it to our blog ?? some friends do not use facebook and I would love as many people as possible to read your story, if you don't mind of course ;o) Sweetie xoxo
Jesykah Kralik: left this message on our FaceBook Page, she was happy for me to also post her comment here : "Sweetie of course you may copy and paste to the blog! My nana is a wonderful lady, and she was so thrilled when, 23 years later, I rescued my own rabbits. She was able to refer me to her (rabbit savvy) vet, and she always asks about her great grand-buns. We had a long talk and I found out that actually, the reason the little girl got an easter bunny in the first place was because SHE wanted a bunny, but my grandfather wouldnt hear of it. He sort of had to though once the easter bunny came back."
Post a Comment