Considering whether or not to adopt a pet is no small task. Sure, pets are great companions, very forgiving, and sometimes protective. However, we all know they eat a lot, need exercise, and a shovel/scoop is standard equipment for most. We have found that owning pets helps our children by fostering responsibility, observing the result of God's marvelous creation of animals, and builds self esteem/confidance. Too often today, children have few responsibilities outside of themselves. There are so many important lessons to be learned in life, and animals are a perfect opportunity for children.
Learning to love AND feeling the grief and pain of loss are very important lessons. In our culture of cell phone texting and email, communicating normal emotions are often left out of the equation. Owning and caring for a pet will allow your children to come face to face with these emotions. Depending on your living situation, consider adopting a cat, dog, fish, hamster, rabbit, horse, goat, sheep, or bird.
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