 |
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
 |
A new addition to the family Aditya is an only child. His parents Darshan and Sangeeta both have high-flying jobs that require them to travel more than 15 days a month. Obviously, they dote on their son but feel guilty about the fact that they spend so little time with him. So when Aditya said that he would like a puppy for his birthday, they leapt at the idea thinking that a dog would be a perfect companion for their son and that may be he wouldn't feel so lonely. A month after their Daschund Blackie became a part of the household, Sangeeta had this to say. "Blackie is adorable, but I never realized that having a pet is almost like having another baby. Aditya is delighted with the puppy. He loves playing with him, but he doesn't think that cleaning up after him or feeding him on time or taking him out for a walk is his job. The problem is that we all thought that getting a puppy is like buying a toy. Actually, it's like having another member in the family." Getting a pet is no joke. They are
definitely not like toys that you play with for a while and forget about
till you feel like playing the next time. Pets, like humans, need to be
fed, bathed, entertained and taken to the doctor when they are sick. They
have character and distinctive personality traits that make them seem human
at times. The bond that develops between a person and his pet can be likened
to a relationship with a family member.
The responsibilities As in the case of Aditya, most children who have pets feel that the 'dirty work' is not their department. That is the job for long-suffering parents or even servants. Inevitably, the purchase of a pet is followed by endless shouting matches and confrontations between parents and children on the issue of pet care. Most parents wonder how to make their children feel responsible for what they proudly call 'their' pets. How do parents bring home to their children the fact that having a pet is not all fun and games? The first thing to do when deciding
to get a pet is to take into consideration your child's age, your surroundings
and your resources. For instance, if you live in a small apartment, and
your child is very young, it makes more sense to get a tortoise or a goldfish
rather than a Great Dane. Keep in mind that pet care and upbringing requires
money. So make sure that you budget for that before rushing in for a handsome
German Shepherd.
Tips for involving your child in pet care
To add your views on this article or read others comments Click Here
|
