Over the past six months or so I have been putting a lot of thought into my future with pets and I’ve come to the conclusion, for a variety of reasons that, I’d like to try going it alone at some point. I’m not sure how this will play out exactly as I’ve not really known much time in my life where I didn’t have at least one pet, but I’d like to give it a try.
Since I’m planning a big move at some point in my not too distant future this will be my last batch of peeps because I have no future plans to raise chickens when I get to where I am going. In the meantime I will really enjoy the ones I have, but as for the future I do not intend to include any chickens.
As for a future with a dog, I am not really a dog person. I’ve put a lot of thought into this one and because of all the upkeep and attention involved in caring for a dog I ruled this one out ages ago. Kitties however, are a whole different thing. I love cats, always have, and can’t imagine not having one in my life. My plan initially will be to go it alone and see how it works for me. Will I get a kitty once I’m settled? To be perfectly honest, I really do not know.
I’d like to know the freedom of not being tied down to the house because I have a pet that needs me to take care of it. I’d like to know what it is like to not have furniture or carpeting that has been clawed. I’d like to know what it is like if someone says “hey, want to go away for the weekend?” the only thing I need to worry about is what to pack. There is also the financial aspect of being a pet owner. It’s expensive.
The other aspect of responsible pet parenting is my age when I get to my next home and am settled in. At some point I know that as I get older the potential for my pets to outlive me is greater and I’ll have to make some type of accommodation for them. I’m not sure I want to have to deal with that. I’m also at a point in my life where I don’t want to have to say good-bye to anymore furbabies because it only gets harder. Do I even want to go through it again? Who does?
 |
| This boy is ridiculous! |
Will I be lonely without a pet in my life? Possibly. I don’t know. It is something I’m going to have to experience and work through. Will I enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about a pet? I’m sure I will. Can I change my mind later if I choose to? Absolutely! But for now the plan moving forward will not include any new pets in my future.
I love dogs and would love to have one but ruled them out for the same reasons you mentioned. I've always had a cat or two but I find myself worrying what would happen to my current cat if something happened to us before him. I'm not 100% positive but I believe he will be our last cat.
ReplyDeleteAt some point we have to call it. It's a hard decision.
DeleteI'm 100% with you on this. I like not having someone or something to clean up after or spend gobs of money on. My mother lavished so much money on her dog and he was a PILL. Plus, she made zero decisions about what was to become of him should something happen to her. As fate would have it, he rapidly declined when she did and we ended up having to put him down. I definitely don't want to leave that scenario to my kids some day.
ReplyDeleteI don't want anyone else to have to deal with my pets. It is asking a lot and I would hate that for them. LOL
DeleteI know how you feel! Unfortunately, though, every time I say "this is the last one," another needy one shows up at our country door, lol! By the way, do you still have your bunny?
ReplyDeleteI can imagine. Yes, I still have Daisy.
DeleteWe are in the same place, we want to become full time R'Vers in a few years and we currently have 3 dogs (8,10 and 12 years old) and an elderly cat. we have always had a least 2 dogs but i think these guys will be the last. (Chris is a bigger softie than I am so he is the one to convince)
ReplyDeleteThey occupy far more of our time, mental energy and $$ than we'd care to admit, I think.
DeleteTry going it alone. You can always adopt another cat at some point if you want to.
ReplyDeleteBun
I agree!
DeleteEleven years ago we told a friend that if she needed to go the hospital we would feed her cats and dog. Over the years those three past away. Last year our friend past away at the age of 91 almost 92. She had a new cat who was onlu]y 8 years old. Guess who was written into her documents to take her cat? This kitty had always hidden when we visited our friend and we had never met him. It took about a month for him to decide that he could tolerate us and he would grace us with his presence. No more hidden all the time. I had to shut off a coup,e of rooms in our house that are no cat zones so my son could visit us. He is very allergic. We had not had a cat in ten years and had no plans for another one. We are adjusting.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Surprise! I don't want to do that to anyone.
DeleteI relate to this so much. I had to put my 16yo girl cat to sleep a few weeks ago and my 10yo girl misses her so badly as she's never known a life on her own. I feel for her so, so much but my time with pets is done even though I've always had a cat. I could get a shelter cat around the same age but then one (or both!) of them could decide to live to a ripe old age. I'm also at the age where I want to be able to just go or do without worrying about them. It's hard to think about not having the companionship but I think 'no pets after this one' is the best decision for me.
ReplyDeleteThe goodbyes get harder and harder. I'm definitely at the point I don't want to do that anymore.
DeleteOne thing I truly enjoyed was having a cat indoors. I developed allergies over time that necessitated my not having indoor pets. Now I have a cat that lives outdoors. Supposedly their lives are shorter by living outdoors but my last cat was 15 years old when she passed away from natural age.
ReplyDeleteOne of my son's cats came to stay here. She's been with me for nearly two years already. I like having her around but am a little wary of her flopping down in front of me as I'm walking across the yard. Her intent is to get a belly rub but if my knee is feeling unstable it can be very difficult to keep my balance and avoid hurting her or me.
I've thought a lot about whether I'd have another cat after this, and I truly can't say.
It will be a big adjustment for me to not have pets.
Delete