by Li Nimaamaa

Created on: January 23, 2009

When I was growing up, our home was never without pets. They were ever faithful and loyal companions, dedicated to our family no matter what. There are few, if any, memories form my childhood that don't involve my pets. When my own children were born, I knew I wanted their childhood years to be filled with the same one of a kind bond between a child and his pet. So, when our oldest daughter was two years old, we went to our local animal shelter and chose a spirited and charming new dog. My daughter loved him instantly, and even her baby sister seemed excited. Of course, they weren't taking on the responsibility, only gaining a wonderful new playmate. Mom would take care of him. It didn't take long to realize that we were absolutely wrong.

Our oldest not only lavished affection on her new best friend, she also begged to help with every aspect of his care. She would carry his dish to the back room, and painstakingly scoop tiny handfuls of food into his bowl each morning, then very coutiously carry it back to the kitchen. ( She asked to get the water, too, but I wasn't ready for that.) She insisted on "helping" with his baths, holding onto the leash (with my help of course) when we took him for a walk, and gently brushing him while they watched "Dora" together. Now that she's three, she does get his water. She knows how to ask him to do tricks, and reward him with a treat, and she's his favorite partner for a game of fetch. She's become as faithful a friend to him, as we hoped he would be for her. Her baby sister, no longer such a baby, follows her lead and gives a great deal of her time and attention to her furry family member. She's learning to be gentle when she pets, and that if he gives her his toy it's to throw, not to keep. When she gets a turn to give him his treat she tells him to sit, though she doesn't wait for him to actually do it. They are both learning, it seems to their father and me, to give to someone who can't give back any material rewards, only love. That is the lesson I had most hoped they would embrace.

So once again, as has often happened, I set out to teach my children and learned something myself. Children don't need to be given an urge to care for a pet, they need the opportunity. The earlier they get the chance to take responsibility for something, the mo eagerly they'll accept it. And as for love and concern for another creature, I think that a child knows that better than anyone.

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