All pets go to heaven
What good are pets? What values do they instill in growing children? Is it possible to love and care for a pet too much? Where do pets go when their role is done? All this and more in this thrilling interview with Webby3.
Q: What pets do you keep, and what is your or your family's relationship with them?
A: I keep a goldfish and 1 guinea pig. I am fond of the guinea pig and even more so lately because she is very old and very ill and I've been therefore been giving her a lot of attention. My husband hates rodents and tolerates the guinea pig but I think secretly is fond of her. My daughter love the guinea pig but wishes that it was a dog :) The goldfish is very pretty and we are pretty attached to it too. It's amazing how attached one can get to a little fish.
A: I keep a goldfish and 1 guinea pig. I am fond of the guinea pig and even more so lately because she is very old and very ill and I've been therefore been giving her a lot of attention. My husband hates rodents and tolerates the guinea pig but I think secretly is fond of her. My daughter love the guinea pig but wishes that it was a dog :) The goldfish is very pretty and we are pretty attached to it too. It's amazing how attached one can get to a little fish.
Q: Do you think having pets in the home makes for a better or worse environment in which to raise children? How so?
A: Better. Because kids can learn to take care of them, gain responsibility, and learn about animals. Unless they're allergic to their pet! Am I allowed to ask you questions? If so, do you have a pet? What type of artist are you?
A: Better. Because kids can learn to take care of them, gain responsibility, and learn about animals. Unless they're allergic to their pet! Am I allowed to ask you questions? If so, do you have a pet? What type of artist are you?
Q: As a dog owner, a father, I agree with you that taking care of a pet teaches a child responsibility, and love. However, sometimes it's the parents that end up having to take care of the pet, and other times the pet is simply neglected. Would you say that a pet's personality is a result of heritage, or the way it is "educated" by its owners?
A: great question! We adopted our guinea pig from a family whose children had become teens and they had stopped playing with the guinea pig. Now guinea pigs are pretty timid to begin with but I do wonder whether the extreme timidity of our pet was due to neglect. I have been spending a lot of time with her lately and she is becoming less timid with me, even though she's very ill and very old. You'd think she would be set in her ways at her age (something like 100 yrs old in human years!)
A: great question! We adopted our guinea pig from a family whose children had become teens and they had stopped playing with the guinea pig. Now guinea pigs are pretty timid to begin with but I do wonder whether the extreme timidity of our pet was due to neglect. I have been spending a lot of time with her lately and she is becoming less timid with me, even though she's very ill and very old. You'd think she would be set in her ways at her age (something like 100 yrs old in human years!)
Q: As your pet enters its golden years, the likelihood of it (she?) requiring medical attention will rise. Veterinary bills can rack up very quickly. At what point do you make the compromise between providing additional (expensive) care, and putting your pet to sleep? What might influence your decision process on this painful subject?
A: She has already required medical attention and bills. And this very question came up last week. She was in pain and the Vet recommended euthanasia because she felt the pain would not go away. We chose to try pain meds and guess what? She's now doing quite well despite her illness. No longer in pain and not quite as rambunctious, but still seems as content as ever. However, I've been set back some $300. Was it worth it for a cute pet but none-the-less a rodent? Yes, I am happy to give her more attention, affection and care. I think my daughter sees how a sick pet needs to be cared for and hopefully will have patience when it's her turn to care for a sick pet -- or me in my old age! Or maybe that's stretching it a little ;)
A: She has already required medical attention and bills. And this very question came up last week. She was in pain and the Vet recommended euthanasia because she felt the pain would not go away. We chose to try pain meds and guess what? She's now doing quite well despite her illness. No longer in pain and not quite as rambunctious, but still seems as content as ever. However, I've been set back some $300. Was it worth it for a cute pet but none-the-less a rodent? Yes, I am happy to give her more attention, affection and care. I think my daughter sees how a sick pet needs to be cared for and hopefully will have patience when it's her turn to care for a sick pet -- or me in my old age! Or maybe that's stretching it a little ;)
Q: Do you believe children should be actively involved in this type of decision making (within limits), or that the decision should be handed down by the grownups? What type of decisions should be left up to the children? What type of decisions will they have absolutely no say in?
A: Do you mean decisions about euthanasia? If so, I don't think an 8 year old is old enough for such a decision. In fact, that is a hard decision for an adult to make! But explaining the issues to an 8 year old is certainly worthwhile. We have now entered into discussions, in preparation for the guinea pig's death, about what is a "soul" and the possibility of alternate universes where the "soul" might live. Pretty fun stuff!
A: Do you mean decisions about euthanasia? If so, I don't think an 8 year old is old enough for such a decision. In fact, that is a hard decision for an adult to make! But explaining the issues to an 8 year old is certainly worthwhile. We have now entered into discussions, in preparation for the guinea pig's death, about what is a "soul" and the possibility of alternate universes where the "soul" might live. Pretty fun stuff!
Q: Getting back to the subject of this interview, do you believe all (good) guinea pigs go to heaven? Dogs? Are there any pets that you believe are (or should be) specifically prohibited from heaven?
Please see: http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=36337
A: I'm sorry to take so long to answer. I'm pretty sick - will get back to you in next few days when better thx
A: I'm sorry to take so long to answer. I'm pretty sick - will get back to you in next few days when better thx
Q: No problem. We'll pick it up when you're feeling better, and decide once and for all whether pets are allowed in the afterlife.
A: funny question and very funny snopes page! I don't tend to take the traditional concept of "heaven" too seriously. But whatever may happen to living creatures with the magical essence called a "soul", I think it happens across the board. I don't see any difference between human animals and other animals - so yes, all guinea pigs and dogs go to "heaven". Even George Bush. Unless there's a dark star somewhere that will suck his soul right up into it...oh, I digress...
A: funny question and very funny snopes page! I don't tend to take the traditional concept of "heaven" too seriously. But whatever may happen to living creatures with the magical essence called a "soul", I think it happens across the board. I don't see any difference between human animals and other animals - so yes, all guinea pigs and dogs go to "heaven". Even George Bush. Unless there's a dark star somewhere that will suck his soul right up into it...oh, I digress...
What have we learned from this roller coaster ride of an interview? We have learned that you can't put a price on your child's love for your pet, and that pets are first-class family members too. Having a bet teaches kids a sense of responsibility, and brings the family together.
