Another Animal and our House is going to Explode!

So, I will be the first person to admit, I am a softy when my children fall in love with an animal.

When will I learn?

As a child, I always had a dog.  In fact, I always had a Labrador and often was found sleeping in his dog house.  He was my best friend “Bandit” (one of the few things I remember).  So as a parent, I felt it was important to provide those same values and responsibilities into my children.

It hasn’t been all good.  

The first dog after I was married was a Doberman.  I was scared to death of this animal and I hated it.  I don’t think I shed one tear when the good lord took him.  (And I swear I had nothing to do with it…)  

So, when the opportunity came, we had a pure bread yellow Lab.  Her name was Lizzy, and the kids loved her so much.  She was perfect.  Didn’t really chew up much and always rolled around on the floor with the babies.

So if you have one pet, why not add more you ask….They all are probably just as amazing as the one you have...I told myself!

Soon, it was the kids falling in love with a cat at the local Pet Smart.  NEVER and I will repeat NEVER go into a store where they sell animals.  That is my motto.  It was an adorable cat.  “I think I am allergic” I said to the kids, but we played with it and it never made me sneeze, so what the heck, let’s buy her!  

What I failed to realize, was that NO ONE but mommy was going to care for these animals….. That would be clean up after them, feed and water them, and pay for their shots!

Come to find out I was right..... I was instantly sneezing, coughing...thought how could a cold last for 6 weeks!  The tests came back.  I was allergic to the cat.

I tried everything.  Until my prayers were answered and one of the children left the door open and the cat wandered outside never to be seen again.

Then the inevitable happened and Lizzy was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder and we had a funeral and rough recovery.

Well, that wasn’t the end because they soon felt the need to raise hamsters.  Small mice like creatures that smell terribly.  The pet shop owner told me they were all male and were fine to have all three in the same cage.  Not being well versed in “hamster” I thought I wasn’t going to spend any more money on additional cages for another pet interest that wasn’t going to last long.  Well, it didn’t take long for Mommy to be disgusted by the cage and amount of work that no child would touch!  

Yet again, God heard my prayers and the hamsters took care of their own lives…Something I actually had to handle disposal of.

Then, it was time for another dog.  But the Grim Reaper was feeling nice, and said he found two beautiful Lab puppies and he would pay for one and I could keep them both since I have the rather large house and yard.  Well, all common sense was out the door when two adorable little yellow 4 month old labs hit your arms.  I accepted.

Life was terrible.

They ate everything.  The kids did nothing.  I had even had ulnar bone shortening and my arm was casted from elbow to wrist as I tried caring for these monsters.  It didn't take long for me to call the Grim Reaper to make his decision.  Take them or I kill them.  Well, he handled it.  Pure Labs are great hunting dogs and a nice farmer offered to take one.  We kept the one we "thought" was most tame.  The jury is still out on that one!

I just wanted a nice puppy to cuddle with....Is that too much to ask for?

Buster, an adorable yellow lab and lover by heart, is really my arch enemy.   He gives us that "I promise to be good" look, and when we wake in the morning, another toy or stuffed animal or pair of BRAND NEW HIGH HEELS is eaten up!! 

So being naive and inexperienced at carrying for animals, someone at the pet store said he needed a friend.  So when the kids wanted this "free" cat that some neighbors were giving away, I gave in.  Yes, I know I am allergic, but I thought if I left it out of my room, maybe I would be okay.  And I had three droopy, watery set of kids eyes looking at me saying they PROMISED to care for them and help me!

Boy, how many times does Mommy fall for that one! 

Mark my words.......We may not have pets much longer!!

Enough Said.