Baseball has the Steroid Era. The earth has the Ice Age. American muscle cars defined the auto industry in the late 60’s to early 70’s. The list is endless. Families have “stages” as well. It seems that our family has entered the “Pet Era.”
This era dawned anew in July with the arrival of three kittens – Rocky, Whiskers, and Pete. Rocky, being the adventurous one, decided the neighbor’s porch is a wonderful place to hang out. His influential personality soon convinced his siblings to join him in his daring escapades. It paid off for them, since the neighbors fell in love with them, let them into their house (along with their 15 cats), fed them, and gave them a warm place to sleep. We tried our best to woo them back, but to no avail. Our outdoor accommodations were no contest to the personal suite they had access to.
In September the rabbits arrived. Two of them, one black, one gray. Two females (we hope). The greatest thing ever (since the kittens). We did better with the accommodations this time. We set up the cage, and I built a nice box for them, as well as a frame to hold their dishes. Excitement was running high. They were well fed and cared for. For about two days. Now our daughter and I have a daily exchange that goes something like this:
Me: “Did you feed the rabbits today?”
She: “No. There were too many ladybugs outside and my boots are muddy.” (or similar excuses/variations)
Me: “I’ll go out with you now.”
She: “Well, I need to brush my baby’s hair, and it is cold outside.” (or similar excuses/variations)
She: “You can just go feed them without me.”
After 5-10 minutes of discussion, we go out and feed them.
Once it starts snowing and getting really cold, this will become a half hour process I am afraid. And I will do it myself.
Maybe the neighbors would like a couple of rabbits?
Maybe several chickens would be nice pets for us…or a pet rock.
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