I would like to introduce a new addition to our family. She’s been with us for just over a month, the kids have named her Miss Ruby a stray cat who decided to make herself at home. Despite efforts to find her original owners, she insists in staying staying with us, making it very difficult not to get ‘too attached’.
Not quite sure what breed she is, some say she’s a Russian Blue or maybe just a very pretty moggie. Nevertheless, she’s a very affectionate, loving and well behaved kitty and as far as I’m concerned she can stay with us for as long as she likes =)
After much nagging from the kids, we finally gave in and decided to buy them a pet rabbit. We named him Maxi and he has been with us for the last five years.
We emphasized the huge responsibilities that came with having a pet, as well as teaching them compassion and respect for the new addition. Of course, the responsibility would also come from us as parents to make sure that they are doing what they are supposed to do when it came to caring for Maxi, after all we are the grown ups here.
So five years have passed and E is now 10 years old. Though she loves Maxi, I’ve noticed lately that her interest in him seems to be waning. We have to constantly remind her to keep him company and to make sure that he gets his daily care and attention. We have sat her down many times to remind her that she needs to do more for him, we’ve negotiated and compromised. But it seems to be more of a chore for her than anything else.
Only about a month ago, she asked us whether she could have a pet hamster. We firmly told her no, and that she has enough responsibility with Maxi, never mind taking on another pet, that she will probably lose interest in a couple of months.
Of course it’s not solely her responsibility, but we have also given her the tools and knowledge for the role as Maxi’s primary carer. I don’t blame fully her, but with age comes with new interests and these have seemed to have taken more priority than Maxi.
D and I do our best to for Maxi but I don’t think it’s enough. So we have came to a conclusion that maybe Maxi would be better off to be with someone who could give him the attention that he needs. The lifespan of an average rabbit can differ to 6-8 years and I don’t want Maxi to spend the last years of his life feeling unwanted. He is such a lovely and friendly pet and he has given us so much in the last five years.
Though it’s a hard decision, we feel that we need to make it for his welfare and happiness, it’s not fair to keep him just because we have to. He deserves a lot more.
When we have finalized our decision we will tell the kids and explain to them that this is the final straw. I know that it will be hard for them to see him go and will probably beg us to keep him, and promise that she will do her best, but this is nothing new. A lesson needs to be learnt from this, they need to know the whole responsibility of being their for their pet no matter what. Every pet has the right to live their life fully, with someone who is dedicated not just when it suits.
