The death of a pet from accident or old age is always sad.

My rats only live for 3 years, so I've grown used to replacing them. Each new rat has such a different personality that it is interesting to compare them. I'm on Robin #16 and Marian #3. This time Marian is the out going one, the one who will explore more and put herself on the ledge to get to the food. This morning she fell off, while reaching for the food dish I was refilling.

When I loose a dog, I am devastated, and it takes me awhile to get another dog. My current dog, Loki, will be 15 in January. I dread the day when she will pass.

FiZz, I admire you for waiting until you can give the future pet the time and attention it deserves.

Gwen

Hi Debby,

Wow, jumping four feet up is really amazing!

My current dog used to jump into trees with low branches and then climb up to try and get the squirrels.  I'm glad she didn't try to jump into my arms, since she is a 50 pound dog.

Sh's too old to do much jumping now.

Gwen

First Pet...A Hamster named Jumper.

Lived for 6 years, which from what I understand is pretty good for a hamster.

He was a cutie. 

My parents have always had pets, even before I was born.  The first pet I really remember was a long-haired tabby cat named Sam we had when I was about 4 or 5.  But I don't remember how old he was when we had to put him down.  Many other cats (and a few dogs, hamsters, and mice) have come and gone in my life since then, but I have many good memories of them.

Hi Selini,

I've had most of those animals as pets too. My family has had dogs, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, turtles, fish, and birds.

In high school, I suddenly inherited all the cage cleaning duties (my sisters kept forgetting so my mom just had me do it). I cleaned four cages and the fish bowl every week. That many cage chores made me realize that if I can't take care of the pet, then I should find it a home.

My love of rats has affected my nieces and nephews, since when they got old enough they told their parents they wanted a rat like aunt Gwen has. : )

Gwen

Gwen,

We had a lot of fish, too, when I was growing up.  I particularly remember one large angelfish.  He was a big fish and was a pretty light gold color.   If someone put their face close to the glass, he would come over to investigate.

Of course the fish had a name. My sister's goldfish was named Goldie.

I once had five tadpoles who were all named Pollysomething; Pollyann and Pollygon were two of the names. When one accidently went down the drain, my mom asked me which one that was. I replied, without even thinking: "That was Pollygon."

Gwen