Oh, yes I do. I have relatives and friends with pets, and I know
exactly what I'm missing. The smells and messes are something I don't want to deal with. Hairballs, fleas, animal hair on furniture and clothes. Keeps the vacuum going a lot, I'm sure. Oh, and when a dog or cat has an upset stomach... I can't deal.
I haven't had the best experiences with pets, either.
When I was little (maybe two years old) my mom and grandma bought a dog for me; Brandy, which died by someone poisoning her. My mom and grandma tried to keep me from seeing, but I saw Brandy when she was very sick in our backyard. Not good.
A few years later mom bought a puppy for me and my brother and it was stolen. It was hard seeing his empty house in the backyard. One day we just happened to see him lying dead on the side of the road a few blocks from our house. We figured he was trying to come home when a car hit him.
All my friends and family with pets get so saddened when the animal is sick and can't tell them what's wrong. They talk about all the costs of keeping them healthy, and the fact that they can't take them along when they travel and how they feel guilty for leaving them home alone while at work.
My grandmother hated leaving her little dog alone in the house for more than two hours, so she was always anxious to get home whenever she was out. I wouldn't like leaving a pet alone either. One of my aunts used to travel a lot, but when she got her dog she complained about kennel fees when she had to leave him, then she missed him a lot.
If I've got to deal with stinky smells and messes, I'd rather it be from a baby.
I'm much more into raising children than I am pets. I've always loved children and I'm fascinated by the things we can learn from such young minds, if we take the time.
I've always been around kids since I was a kid..starting with my mom working in the same daycare center I attended. A few years later she opened one in her own home and we even ran a small one together not so long ago. I also worked at a public center a few years ago. I guess I get my love of children from my mom.
At least by the time the baby is a year old, he/she can say "owie" or "ouchie" when they get a scrape on the arm. Poor doggy can't say anything.
I haven't even owned a fish in
years. If I ever get married my husband and kids may really be into pets, and of course I'll adapt as best as I can. I won't tell them they can't have any.
For those who love animals... good for you. Whatever makes you happy.
