By: Jessica DiRamio

I am bugged several times a week for a pet.  I hear things like:

"I am the only kid who doesn't have a pet."

"We don't even have a fish!"

"I wish I had something that would sit on my lap while I pet it."

"When I am a Mom, I will let my kids have as many pets as they want."

Yes, I am THAT MOM-  no pets in this house.  Unfortunately, I am allergic to cats so those can never come into the house and I just don't have it in me to get a dog.  I can see our future with a dog:  in the first few weeks, each of my kids will be gung-ho about taking it out, going for walks, playing with it, etc.  Then, once a round of cold, wet weather hits us, BAM! No more!  I will be the one up at 5am walking the pup in a snowstorm.  I will be the one cleaning my carpets from the little accidents.  Yes, I will be the one rounding up all of the shoes he's eaten (not the Uggs, pleassssssse!).  I. just. can't. do. it!

I've considered other options like hamsters, gerbils, or rabbits.  But, I am a total rookie on this topic so I have questions.  Don't these creatures smell?  Do they die easily? How big of a cage do I really need?  Oh boy, I am stressed about taking on one of these.  Should I just have another child?  Seems like it would be about the same amount of work?

Wow, through the power of blogging and rhetorical questions, I think I just convinced myself that I am not ready for pets of any kind.  I suddenly feel like a huge weight has been lifted.  Thanks everyone J