by Donna Ulett

Created on: December 05, 2009   Last Updated: December 07, 2009

Growing up as a child I was always nagging my parents for a pet dog. They gave me a pet fish instead, but I preferred a pet that I can hug and play with. You can teach a dog tricks like; play dead, roll over, catch a ball, shake hands and lay down. Unfortunately you can't teach a pet fish tricks. A friend told me that if you give a pet fish too much food because they will eat until they die. A pet fish is not easy to take care of. The water needs to be change every week. Within two weeks my pet fish died.

My parents always told me that caring for a pet is a big responsibility. Pets need love and attention just like humans. They need special food, which you can purchase at the store. If they get sick I would have to take them to the Vet. Pets aren't toys that don't move around. My mother says that dogs are too noisy, and then my dad told me that caring for pets cost money just like having children.

Actually, I never thought about all that. All I wanted was a pet to play with like what I saw in television shows, that's all. Being an only child makes me feel lonely sometimes; all I need was a companion. You know someone to play with or share things with; since my parents weren't considering having another child because of financial problems, but they told me they will have another child, but as soon as they can afford to have another one. Although, it was heart breaking to hear that I respect their decision.

So I decided to do some research about having a pet and the information that I found proved that my parents were right. Having a pet cost almost the same as having another child. I made a decision that I will either wait until my parents have another child or wait until I am older and can afford to take care of a pet.

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