Pets are a bad idea if you have children. It may teach some children responsibility, but normally it fall's to the parent to take care of the cleaning up after and the feeding.
But the worst part by far is the waking up in the morning and finding said pet dead. Eye's openly glaring at you, mocking you, saying “Ha! One final mess of mine that you get to clear up!”
Then there's the problem of what to do with the pet. Do you discard of it and lie? Do you leave it in the cage and pray that it is unnoticed until after the child goes to school then you can throw it out? Or do you try and explain death to a four year old?
Unfortunately I didn't get the choice as whilst removing my daughters rat, Scabbers, from his cage she waltzed in and caught me red handed. There were tears and sobs, with a few sniffles thrown in for good measure. So I have had to spend the better part of a day digging a grave; finding a suitable (biodegradable) coffin; printing a picture to stick to the coffin (old shoe box); then trying to uncurl the rat, after rigor mortis has set in, so that he would fit in the coffin. The memorial service will be held at 5 pm tonight, all those wishing to send flowers or condolences please save your money and buy yourself an ice cream in honour of the dearly departed Scabbers.
The final question after a pet dies is whether to replace them. There will be no Scabbers Mark II, but I could be swayed towards a new kitten if prodded enough.
