Live animals at home?

[Antares]

Honestly I believe that it will be the most important lesson. Learning to deal with grief is hard, better to learn now so that later on in life my daughter is prepared. I know that sounds somewhat cold but, I feel like it is my dogs finial gift.

[Moniquejm]

We have dog in our house who used to be our guard, and a playmate sometimes.

[SilviaP21]

I don't have any animals yet but I want a dog in a few years. Maybe for my son's 3rd or 4th birthday we will get him a puppy. Can't wait!

[Emilyflint]

We have a cat. I do believe it is good for the kids to experience animals in the house. It gives them something to care for and about besides themselves. Also teaches then to take care of things.

[Jaime Lync]

I once had a turtle that ran away over night. I have a strong feeling that my turtle ran away. That turtle thought me how it feels to lose a friend and move on. Funny but sad story - real talk.

[jemgirl202]

We have three animals at home and couldn't agree more! We have a dog named Xerxes, a fish named Freddie and a turtle named Scooter. The only one I don't get along with is Scooter. I swear she is Satan. However, I love our dog he is the sweetest. Both of my boys have been around him since birth and I noticed they are extremely good when seeing pets or animals in public or at a friends house.

[Heidi M Simone]

Growing up, we had a dog who was part-rottweiler. I learned two things. 1) A big dog was too much for me and 2) My parents did not understand how to raise a dog. For the longest time, I did not want an animal. So, I think parents need to be careful when bringing a pet home - it could go either way. It wasn't until I was an adult and got Zoey (our little lab mix) that I opened my heart to a pet. Now, I'm thankful everyday that I get to be with her.

[Amagine]

I use to have a retriever when I was younger and even some fish. Now the only pet I have at home is my little brother.

[Manang Muyang]

I use to have a retriever when I was younger and even some fish. Now the only pet I have at home is my little brother.

LOL! A wonderful pet, I must say. I bet he taught you a lot of lessons too.

[Riki]

Animals and pets are always a family decision, but I've seen the addition of pets to be wonderful for families. Besides all the responsibilities they teach kids(feeding them, walking them, cleaning up) they also teach children how to be compassionate. They learn to care for something other than themselves, allowing them to grow into kinder, more understanding adults.

[Manang Muyang]

Very nicely said, Riki. Welcome to the community!

[Amagine]

I use to have a retriever when I was younger and even some fish. Now the only pet I have at home is my little brother.

LOL! A wonderful pet, I must say. I bet he taught you a lot of lessons too.

He's not a very good pet. He doesn't listen to me, is always making a mess and in general is one of the laziest pets that I have ever came across.

[TrishaAnn92]

We have one dog named Rocky. He thinks he is a human and for 100 pounds he still likes to sit entirely on my lap making my kids laugh and clap because they think it is the best thing ever. He is teaching my daughters responsibility by which they take turns feeding him in the mornings and at night as well as giving him water.

[nikkon]

I have a dog and a cat at home. My whole family is use to owning cats so we knew how to handle ours that we have now, but this is our first time owning a dog and we learned that dogs hate baskets, are very dependant, are expensive to keep and are loud. But besides all of that, we still love our animals and its been a learning experience with the dog .

[Manang Muyang]

I didn't know dogs hated baskets! That's a new learning for me too. I'll test your statement with our four dogs haha.