Life Without Pets

[Beryl]

In my 40+ years on the planet, I can count on one hand the number of years in my life that I didn't have at least one pet -- even if it was only a tankful of guppies. I usually had a dog but there were a few years when we had cats. I also remember having turtles as a kid.

I cannot imagine life without a pet. What about people in special health facilities? How do they bear it while waiting for special service dogs to visit them?

What about people in jail? Are they allowed pets? I heard about the Birdman of Alcatraz but I didn't think most prisons allowed any kind of pets. I'd imagine that having pets in jails might help with rehabilitation.

Have any of you had to be petless for a significant amount of time? If so, how did you handle it? Did you find any pet substitutes?

[IceyBlueSibes]

I don't recall ever being without a pet in my life. I don't think I ever could be. I had gone to my boyfriend's grandma's house for a week, and she has zero animals. She has really bad allergies, and doesn't like dogs to begin with. But I went crazy... I didn't have my buddies with me. Heck, I even enjoy the company of the animals where I'm visiting.

It must be awful for people who have to eventually go to nursing homes and all, having to give up their pets that they've had for years. Heartwrenching... I know my mom missed the dogs and cats DEARLY when she had been in the hospital. She was glad to be home.

I'll never be without a pet. And if it comes down to me living in my car to keep my pets, I will.

[ewarp]

I was without pets until the age of 9. My parents bought me a 10 gallon fishtank for Christmas, and the rest is history!

We went from fish (my first two were gourami named Flicka and Rocket. I thought the heater had to be on all the time. I kinda cooked them), to a newt to a hedgehog to a cat to a dog to two dogs in the span of 5 years.

Now, I have two dogs again (after moving out with my dog, and leaving the family dog there), two turtles, a zillion fishtanks, and a rotating 3rd and 4th foster dogs.

I can't imagine being petless, especially dog-less. A friend of mine just left to go backpacking through Europe and invited me. It would have been a month long trip. Even if I could have taken the time off of work, what about my pooches?! I can't stand the thought of being away from them so long. I don't see them as being restrictive though... they're actually kinda liberating. They get me out of the house and out and about. We go hiking and biking and exploring together.

[poodlesmom]

I honestly can't remember a time in my life that I didn't have at least one pet. As a child, although my mother wasn't the world's biggest animal lover, she gave in to my desire. My 1st pets started out as turtles, graduating to parakeets. When I got old enough to start helping out with the care my father got me a cat and eventually we had a dog. The 1st couple of years after I moved out of my parents' house I was petless but as soon as I was able to I again had pets. I don't envision myself, as long as I am physically able, to be without at least one pet.

[Vicki]

I've always had pets! Mostly it was Dad giving in to me! He's quite a tough character but he just loves animals and was always encouraging Mum to buy us more pets because he'd get to cuddle them too

I had dogs around from about 8 years old upwards but before that, we always had a couple of hamsters and a couple of rabbits.

(Actually the rabbits werent ours... my Dad bought them and named them after his favourite speedway team )

[Swiftwind]

I have always had pets around (whether it be cats, fish, mice.. and of course dogs). I can't imagine not having at least one pet. Petless families don't know what they're missing out on! I owe a lot to the pets I've had - they've brought me such joy and fun!

[britishbandit]

Oh me neither, I can't imagine it at all! My brother and I got our first pets when I was four. A cat each, and a few years later a Papillon. The only times I've been without a pet since, was when I first moved to Canada, and the few months between when a pet had passed away. I'll never be without pets ever again.