I’ve always been an animal lover. When I was a child, my sister and I had many pets. Hamsters, rabbits, numerous cats and even ducks!
Before our girls were born, my husband and I had two kittens. We called them Dragon and Fable. It’s rather strange as their names definitely suited them.
Dragon was fierce and would often attack Fable, who was a soft, gentle and cuddly cat.
When my husband and I found out that we were pregnant with twins, we made the decision to re-home the cats.
It was heartbreaking, but having Two house cats and two babies in a third floor, two bedroom flat just wasn’t plausible.
Now that our girls are soon to be six years old, my husband and I have been thinking about getting the girls their very first pet.
However, as we’re renting we had to ask our landlord. We asked if we could get a cat.
Unfortunately our landlord said no to a cat, but he did say we could get a rabbit or goldfish.
I’m not sure why really, but the thought of a rabbit never even crossed my mind.
When I think of a pet, I automatically think cat.
My husband and I discussed the idea of getting a rabbit and decided that it would be a nice first pet for the girls.
There are many reasons why letting children have a pet is a good idea.
It not only gives them some responsibility in terms of cleaning their hutch, playing with them and ensuring they’re fed and watered, but it also encourages children to be kind and gentle.
One day after school we broke the news to the girls that we couldn’t get a cat. Before the tears emerged, we softened the blow with the offering of a rabbit and both R and M were delighted!
Well, last weekend, we took the girls to Pets at Home so that they could chose a rabbit.
I should actually say so that a rabbit can choose them because as soon as the girls went up to the rabbit enclosure, a lovely rabbit cake running straight over and the girls decided that was the rabbit for us!
The shop assistant was very helpful. She talked to the girls about animal care and also showed us how to cut his claws.
It’s been a few days now since, Snuggles, (yes the girls picked the name!), came to live with us, and although he was very shy at first, I think it’s fair to say that he’s settled in rather well!
21 Comments
David Pearson
January 24, 2018 at 8:58 am
Our girls have grown up with pets. We had 3 cats (Patsy, Eddie & Saffie – sisters from the same litter) when we bought a house together plus a dog. Patsy never came home one night but the other two stuck with us through two house moves and 4 children! Saffie left us last year which leaves just Eddie now – she 17 this summer! We also have a deaf Dalmatian and a black labrador. We rent but our landlord gave us permission to have pets on the clear understanding we fix any damage they might cause! So far we’ve only had a chews chair leg (our chair) by the lab when he was a pup! I agree, growing up with pets is such a nice things for children and does teach them to care for another living thing. Our D has such a bond with Dottie the Dalmatian – it’s really quite sweet.
David Pearson
January 26, 2018 at 8:46 am
Ah I’ve already been here! #ThatFridayLink 🙂
Stuart
January 26, 2018 at 12:14 am
We’ve had pets before are kids so they’ve grown up with them – we have a cat and a dog and the kids adore them. Wouldn’t have it any other way #thatfridaylinky
Malin, Sensational Learning with Penguin
January 26, 2018 at 1:17 am
Oh that ‘Snuggles’ is so sweet!😍 I had a bunny myself as a child, similar to yours but different colour (shades of grey, like a siamese cat). Congratulations on your new family member!
#ThatFridayLinky
Tash
January 26, 2018 at 5:15 am
I love the name Snuggles! So fitting for such a gorgeous rabbit.
I’d love to get our kids a dog, but we travel so much it just doesn’t seem fair, so we settle for tropical fish at present. #ThatFridayLinky
Ross Hunt
January 26, 2018 at 6:39 am
Snuggles is a wicked name. We have two house rabbits, they actually have their own bedroom at the moment! Ours are Vanellope and Thumper (Disney themed). It’s a great way to teach kids about responsibilities too! Isabelle can clean the rabbits out when she’s older and save us the job
Dad
January 26, 2018 at 8:17 am
He is adorable! Snuggles is a great name, well chosen girls! #ThatFridayLinky
Enda Sheppard
January 26, 2018 at 8:57 am
Our first family pet was a rabbit, named Sniffles by our daughter. Not a great success as Sniffles had no interest whatsoever in either the kids or ourselves. The funny thing is we got our dog Bella soon before Sniffles suddenly keeled over one day in the garden and died. No idea why. But Bella and Sniffles got along famously, after initial misgivings on both sides. It was the only time we saw Sniffles show any personality, as herself and Bella the terrier, and about the same size, took turns chasing each other around the garden. They were great buddies
Kelly
January 26, 2018 at 9:09 am
I think it’s so important gor children to engage in responsible caring asap. Hope they continue growing a bond with Snuggles. ❤
#ThatFridayLinky
Matt B
January 26, 2018 at 9:51 am
My girls would love to have pets! But they can’t – because my wife is very allergic to anything with hair (although not humans).
relentlesslypurple
January 26, 2018 at 10:07 am
Aww I love that the rabbit chose them! #thatfridaylinky
Harry’s Honest Mummy
January 26, 2018 at 10:38 am
We used to have three cats but one by one they died off – all lived to a ripe old age. Our last one – Homer (18) – passed away last year so Harry was aware of what was going on. He was heartbroken for all over 2 minutes when he declared he now wanted a dog. Instead we went back to the animal sanctuary and both picked a kitten. He was so sweet with it in the car home telling her “I will be your Mummy now. Don’t be scared”. And true to his word he does look after her (even if he can be a little boisterous at times). Good luck with the rabbit. #ThatFridayLinky
Cheshire SEN Tutor
January 26, 2018 at 10:39 am
Aw a gorgeous rabbit! They make such wonderful pets #thatfridaylinky
Pen
January 26, 2018 at 11:16 am
I like rabbits. Unfortunately, we live in a flat, and even though I own the flat, we are not allowed pets under the conditions of the lease.
I had a rabbit as a child. I went to stay with my grandmother for a week. Whilst I was away, my rabbit died. My parents told me that my rabbit had had a heart attack. It was only recently that they confessed that the rabbit didn’t die in his sleep of a heart attack, but rather was killed by the race dog next door. My rabbit was killed thirty years ago, but I was still a bit sad upon hearing the truth for the first time. Pen x #ThatFridayLinky
Chloe
January 26, 2018 at 6:52 pm
What an adorable name. I grew up with a rabbit he was a partial house rabbit and always made sure that our dog knew who was the boss. I am sure th girls will have have many happy years with third new pet #ThatFriddayLinky
David – Tales of Two Children
January 26, 2018 at 8:04 pm
A lovely post. Gorgeous rabbit …. Fidget & Little Man both sighed ‘Aaahhh’ when they saw the picture. Says it all, really.
#ThatFridayLinky
John Adams
January 27, 2018 at 7:05 am
Ah yes, I had read about this on Nigel’s blog. I hope it’s going well with Snuggles. I bet the girls love having a pet rabbit. I fear I’m just not a pet person myself….but that’s just me! Thanks for hosting #thatfridaylinky
Laura Dove
January 28, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Oh welcome to the family Snuggles! I had a rabbit when I was younger, Bessie, and loved her so much! I used to teach her tricks and all sorts! #thatfridaylinky
Jo – Pickle and Poppet
January 28, 2018 at 8:42 pm
Ah how lovely. We love the idea of a pet, we did adopt a cat but she was being terrorised by the other cats i street and was getting stressed so had to go back. I hadn’t really thought about a rabbit either. #ThatFridayLinky
Kate
January 29, 2018 at 11:23 pm
Pets can be really hard work and messy but they do add so much to family life for sure and I can’t be without ours. I am sure your girls are experiencing so much love for the newcomer already/ #ThatFridayLinky
Musings of a tired mummy…zzz…
January 30, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Pets are great for teaching responsibility, love, care and eventually loss (we have had to have the discussion about putting to sleep this week to warn the children but thankfully Ollie is responding to his pain meds). I would tell my children to date someone who is a pet owner when they are older as they know how to put someone else’s needs ahead of their own. #thatfridaylinky