While wondering what I was going to write about this month, I looked over to see our two dogs blissfully sleeping side by side. I then started reminiscing about all the pets I had been blessed with all my life. I am thankful that my parents were open to that.
My first recollection of a pet was a parakeet my sister was gifted and picked out at the pet store. Tweetie, as my sister named him, quickly became a family member. He was a beautiful shade of blue with dark gray and white feathers in his wings and head. He learned countless words, sometimes putting them in a funny order. We almost lost him one day when he flew out of my sister’s open window. Never expecting to get him back, my father appeased her by taking out a lost and found ad in the local paper. Surprisingly, we received a phone call from a lady who lived about a half mile away. While outside her home talking to a neighbor, Tweetie landed on her shoulder and proceeded to ask her “whatcha doing?” Fortunately, she had a parakeet, put Tweetie in the cage and looked to see if there was anyone looking for a lost parakeet. Stunned that he’d been found, windows were always checked before he was allowed out of his cage. He lived a long life, and we lost a much loved family member when he died.
Through the years, we raised baby ducks and a bunny (that went to live on a lovely farm), more parakeets, goldfish and dogs. While all of our family enjoyed each of these, they were my sister’s and my responsibility. It was a lesson that served us in many ways.
Our daughters grew up always having a dog around. The responsibility of a pet is a wonderful lesson that extends beyond the care of the animal. A young child can put their food dish down after it’s been filled. As they get older, the responsibilities grow. Not only to the care of the pet, but expectations of taking care of items that pertained to themselves, as well.
Our grandchildren have learned that they are part of a family and share in the chores appropriate to their age. Our youngest grandson can turn their playroom upside down while he creates incredible buildings, bridges, cars and trucks with a number of MAGNA-TILES®, Lego and blocks. His mom cleaned it up when he was a toddler, but as he aged, he helped, and now it is his job to put things away when he’s finished.
Teaching children to be responsible is a good life lesson. As a child, I had a weekly chore chart. It was simple tasks at first – pick up my toys and put them away, set the table for dinner, put my dirty clothes in the laundry hamper, make sure that whatever pets I was lucky to have had what they needed, etc. As I grew, there was no longer a chart, just expectations. I knew what was expected of me, not only at home, but school as well.
I have found that, with my grandchildren, they may forget to throw away a wrapper or put their dishes in the sink or dishwasher, but will if reminded. It’s really nice when you get the surprise of watching them feed their pets or empty the dishwasher without being asked.
Having a pet, whether it be a dog, cat, hamster, bunny, lizard, etc., is a great start in learning responsibility. Like all of us, they will find that all through their lives they will have responsibilities and need to be responsible. And, it is the adults in their lives that need to make sure they understand that.
