The Problem with Pets

Bryce has been obsessed with the idea of pets for a long time now.  At Christmas, we relented and agreed he could get a fish.  We got a goldfish for a school project, and thinking it wouldn't live long, told Bryce he could choose a Betta fish once the goldfish died.  

Four months later, Aunt Jin finally went belly up.  I was surprisingly upset.  I think the idea that a living thing under my care died is what bothered me most.  The kids were significantly less concerned.  "Hurray," they cried, "now we can get a Betta!"

Meet "Weenly," our newest addition.  Fish sound like a simple endeavor, but they require more work and equipment than I'd realized - a water thermometer and heater, feedings, new filters, changing their water, cleaning their tank... 

I thought getting a fish would satiate Bryce's desire for a pet.  It did not.  In fact, it only made it worse. At every possible opportunity, Bryce and Thane are outside with Tupperware containers hunting for creepy, crawly critters.  Super.

Additionally, they spend significant amounts of time discussing and planning the types and amounts of animals they will have when they grow up.  For example, Bryce wants, "21 dogs, 14 cats, 3 elephants, 2 giraffes..." and various other animals depending on the day.  Oh, and I shouldn't forget, he also wants, "seven kids... so they can help take care of all the animals!"

Thane, is a little more specific in the types of animals he wants, "tigers, lions, mountain lions, and cheetahs."  I suggested he consider opening a big cat sanctuary.  Most recently, he told me he wants "eight fish."  Finally, a reasonable option!

In the middle of all this, we came to a science unit all about caterpillars and butterflies.  In a fit of good humor, I ordered a caterpillar cup, and soon we had five more "pets."

I will admit, I was perhaps more fascinated by the caterpillars than the kids.  It helped that they required no maintenance; all their food was in their container.  

We learned that if human babies grew at the same rate as caterpillars, by 2 weeks old, our babies would weigh 6 tons!

Soon the caterpillars wrapped themselves up in their chrysalises.  

And a week or so later, they emerged as Painted Lady butterflies.  At this point, we were supposed to feed and care for them until we let them go.

I opted to let them go ASAP. Taking care of the human living creatures in our house is plenty challenging enough!

 No more pets.