When did you get your first pet?
By Alisa
@AlisaTR (936)
Trinidad And Tobago
May 24, 2018 7:44am CST
Growing up I had terrible allergies. Whenever I was around dogs or cats or fresh cut grass or dust of any sort, I would start sneezing (loud glass-shattering ah-choos) and my eyes would start itching, tears would be running down my cheeks, my nose would be tickling, I would be sniffling... I would be an utter and complete mess.
Because of my allergies my mom said the only pets I could have were fish. I had lots of those. But still I liked dogs. I always wanted to have one and I privately envied my friends who did have pets that could run around with them and didn't have to be bottled away in an aquarium. Thing is though, time makes habit and I became an adult and I just kept getting fish and aquarium but I never thought of having a pet other than that. I just didn't think I would know what to do with a dog if I had one. Or a cat.
But my son, he's asking for a pet. He wants a dog. And my husband is pointing out that there are many dogs and cats that are actually hypoallergenic. Like the labradoodle and the golden doodle and even the poodle. They don't shed fur. So after several years without a dog or a cat of my own, I am thinking of getting one for my son. I know it's a huge investment and responsibility... like welcomign another member into our family... so I'm still thinking about it. But I do think that pretty soon we might make that step.
Do you guys have pets? When did you get your first dog or cat? And what was it like introducing them to your home? Was it love and bonding at first sight?
The picture of a labradoodle is credited to MaxPixel
9 people like this
13 responses
@skydancer (2101)
• United States
24 May 18
My mom used to be allergic to anything with fur, so up until I was about nine years old, I only had fish.
I had wanted a "real" pet for some time and in the summer of 1992, the day I came home from summer camp, my parents agreed to let me adopt a kitten from the animal shelter. There were so many kittens there that day and the one I chose was six weeks old and solid white. She had a very loud purr, which we all loved. I named her Angel.
It was very much "love and bonding" at first sight. Angel spent a lot of time on my mom's lap at the animal shelter right before we decided to adopt her. When we brought her home, she started sleeping on my pillow, sometimes right over my head. She lived almost 19 years and was very much a joy the whole time.
My mom's allergies also improved a great deal as the years went by. She now has no symptoms (that I'm aware of) when she's around our cats.
1 person likes this
@skydancer (2101)
• United States
24 May 18
In my experience, animals from the shelter make amazing pets. 
And yes, I think part of my mom's improvement with her allergies was through exposure.
And yes, I think part of my mom's improvement with her allergies was through exposure.1 person likes this
@AlisaTR (936)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 May 18
@skydancer Then it shouldn't really be an issue for me once I weather past the initial months maybe? We'll see.
1 person likes this
@AlisaTR (936)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 May 18
I'm thinking of going to a shelter too. I'm not sure that we would get the hypoallergenic dog that I would prefer there... but I've been told that it's more humane to give these animals a home and that they can sometimes make great pets.
I'm glad your mom's allergies improved. Was it through exposure, you think?
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
24 May 18
My first pet as a child was a dog that my Mom had brought from the farm when she married my Dad @AlisaTR . He lived for 18 years. Today I have 13 cats and 3 donkeys. I did have 3 dogs but they passed away.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
24 May 18
@AlisaTR It was horrible and to know that my Dad took him out into the woods and shot him in the head just because he was so old and was having a hard time walking because of Arthritis, made it even worse.
1 person likes this
@AlisaTR (936)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 May 18
@nanette64 oh no! That's terrible! There must have been a more humane way. I'm glad to see that it didn't scar you so much you didn't turn away from pets altogether. Pretty sure your pets today have an amazing home.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
25 May 18
Technically my first pet was a cat my mom got me when i was a newborn. But I never count that as mine. So my first pet was just fish, and many of them every few weeks. Then hamster around age 10 i think. And then more hamsters around 13. And cat we got 6 years ago when he was 8 weeks old.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
25 May 18
@AlisaTR yes we do. I talk about him often in my posts. He has no name.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
24 May 18
Hi Alisa. It was owned by my uncle but since he served in the Army, he left his dog with us. It was such a protective dog but he bit others even my uncle.
2 people like this
Not badly I hope. Ay least you had a good protector all the time.@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
24 May 18
@AlisaTR Thank you, Alisa. That is true but they killed him for that reason - he was biting other people. 
@Hannihar (129607)
• Israel
25 Jun 18
@AlisaTR
When I was growing up we had dogs and cats but they could not live in the house so lived in the basement or our garage. My mother was allergic. They ran away or so I really did nothing much till I was married and my ex asked about bringing a puppy home and I said yes. She became my dog and then he brought the cat and they were mine. I had to ask the vet how to take care of them and learn things I did not know. My dog and cat are both gone and now I have my Sophie. I still ask questions that I do not remember of friends that know about cats or the vet. So, I really had my first pet which was a dog when I was an adult. I thought she was tiny and she was not sure because was all new to her. I loved her with all my heart. She was my best friend and then the cat came and she wormed her way into my heart. Sophie I like but we have issues and there are times I love her too.
@LPort2017 (693)
• United States
24 May 18
My first pet was a dog named Trouble. I was about 5 or 6 years old. I love animals. I currently have 2 dogs and 1 cat.
@Madisonwein (3)
•
24 May 18
My first pet was a parrot, and eight months ago I got a pet I can fully take care of, and it’s my puppy??
