Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Barb, You are obviously struggling with this problem. I loved reading everyone's advice. It is true that pets offer so much love, and that is wonderful for us, but I am struggling with the same problem. I have enjoyed the love of many pets all my life, and have never been without a housefull. I am down to one 13 year old cat. I have chosen not to get more pets after my last one passes on, and I will tell you why. Five years ago, I had an aging household - 4 "old" dogs and 5 "old" cats, all of whom were spoiled rotten. They were all strays. Most came to me in pretty bad shape, and I nursed most of them back to good health. I loved them so much. Then, all of a sudden my husband got very ill, all at once. In the middle of the night, we left them. We didn't come back for almost 2 months. Thank God, we already had a great pet sitter that came in twice a day to walk them and pet them. But, they almost died of loneliness and I couldn't do much about it. My husband suddenly went blind. Then he almost died of a brain tumor. He had been completely deaf since he was in his twenties. Then he was diagnosed with a rare growth hormone disorder called acromegaly. Most of this, all at once. Of course, we both lost our jobs over all of this. He is permanently disabled. I haven't been able to find any work at all to help with medical bills and I have medical problems myself. My heart just broke at the time. Our pets didn't understand why we were gone all the time. I was trying to take care of my very ill husband, and trying to help our pets cope, too. It was an awful time. This is the reason why I have decided that I will no longer have pets. I am afraid they will outlive us, and I don't want them to be alone and frightened. I will miss their love and joy terribly, but I think this is something all of us should consider. Who would take care of them and love them as we would, if we got sick, or died? It can happen to anyone of us, at any time - my husband was only 48 years old at the time. We are now only 53. These are the things to consider. Animals get so attached. Perhaps I am wrong, but you have to think of these things. Good luck and I hope I haven't depressed you too much! You sound like such a kind and sweet person.

Donna, 12/1/2004