We don't like to say no to our children. Some might argue that ours is an era of indulgence, with consequences that are just beginning to show, but that's for a writer with expertise in children to say. Maybe the parents decide the inconvenience isn't worth it. By the time I hear about it, it's usually too late. Although parents fixate on the idea of responsibility, that may well be the least of life's lessons a pet can help a child to learn.
Pets offer unconditional love, and they're always there to listen.
They teach compassion and gentleness, and the importance of caring for something weaker than yourself. Even in death, a pet can teach a child by laying the groundwork for handling the losses we all have to live with. But they cannot teach these lessons without the help of a parent. And that help starts long before a pet comes into the home. If you're contemplating adding a pet to your household, let some time pass before the trip to the adoption center.