Why do you have a pet? Or, why don’t you?

I take care of my fishies although I need to clean the algae off the walls of their tank. It has been a while since I've done that but the corydoras eat a lot of the algae, too. I give them fish food flakes every morning and add water to their tank once a week. Mostly, I just like to watch the fishies and shrimp swim and can sit watching them for several hours at a time. I also have another pet... I call her Pretty and make food for her, wash her dishes and walk with her when we go somewhere. Once in a while, I visit with Pretty, too.

I want a dog too. I tried to have pets, rabbits, then a dog. But I can't. I'm not ready for the responsibility. I want to have them when I'm able to give them myself 100% if that makes sense.

We always had a dog, but that was when we lived in a larger home with a good sized yard. When our last dog, Nayla, had to be put down, it broke my heart so much that I vowed not to take another pet. We love our son's dog, Ellie, but she too is aging and her health is failing.

When my daughter moved back home with me after her divorce she brought two dogs with her, At first I was not happy as I had my mom to care for and having dogs would be underfoot. But, as it turned out they were wonderful and loving and instead of bothering my mom they loved her and she loved them. She got their names wrong all the time and even now we still laugh at it. Poor Gizmo is no longer with us but as you know, Mush is the queen of the castle here. I'm totally in love with this pup and can't imagine how life was before she came to live with us,

We don’t have any pets, but , as you know , I would dearly love a dog. However, with our lifestyle it just would not be fair to have a dog at the moment. I truly believe that they are part of the family. I know it will happen one day.

I have a pet cat named Raton Ramon who is very friendly and shy.

I no longer consider them as pets because they can melt my heart when I'm angry or upset, generally cats.

I don’t because I have allergies. But I did despite the allergies. I’m also gone too long and too much to have a pet…wouldn’t be fair to them.

You know why I no longer have a pet, Going to be long haul on my own God willing,

If you don't have time, energy and money to spend on pets, I believe it's better not to have them. I don't have pets but I do get cats and dogs visitors and they are treated respectfully.

I too love animals and have two pet dogs. One is still a puppy. She is blacky and is very naughty.

I don't have any pets, and I don't want to have one either, because I can't take care of them due to lack of time

The last few years is the first time I have not had a dog. Or I should say, dogs--most generally I had two. I lost my beloved Corgi right before I moved here, and that left me with one dog. She passed away right before son's accident and illness...and you can guess the rest. Who is going to be able to help with a dog on short notice if I am at the hospital with him, gone for hours and hours, etc.? It's not feasible right now, as much as we want one. And from what I have noticed in my own area, the cost of vet care, even just an annual exam for a pet, is so high now. With all of the expenses I am trying to cover, I don't think I could support another mouth to feed right now. It makes me sad, but someday I do hope to have a dog again. I am glad for you, that you have your Sadie.

Good news! we finally have a new puppy. So I'm happy after so long we just unexpectedly bless to have one.

A pet is good for companionship, entertainment..and can even protect your house from certain bad elements. Cats have alerted for fires etc. And Nico intimidates animals that might want to break in. I also own pets because it is the right thing to do..to care for animals and give them a home if you can..so many are unwanted or spend their lives in a cage. I believe caring for animals is my calling personally.

Everyone knows I have a lot. And the reasons for each go from companship to helping keep pests out to providing food

I don't. I do live with fur persons and eccentric companions.

We've had cats and dogs and I had my pet sheep but we won't get a pet now. When we moved here we were travelling too much or house-sitting, etc and we don't really want one now. I do know how good they are for you and lots of the residents here have dogs. There are a few cats but not many.

We always had Spitz dogs; and I miss them terribly. I'm at the age when it's difficult to care for them; and I no longer have a car to take them to the vet.

I don't have a pet, and to be honest I don't have any plans of having one in the future. I grew up in a family that never had pets before, so i pretty much got use to it. Then again I doubt i would be able to take care of it and give it the amount of time needed.