The Dilemma!
The kids’ 6th birthdays were approaching (we have twins) and they had been clamoring to get their first pets. We’re in a condominium so a dog or a cat was out of the question due to the juristic person rules as well as a few stuffy neighbors. Fish seemed boring and I could see myself forever engaged in cleaning the pesky tank.
Researching
What were the ideal pets that would be age-appropriate for the young ones and allow dad to stay focused in his work at the international digital marketing agency.
YouTube and Google turned up what looked like a winner in Guinea Pigs. Just one thing, I didn’t like the price tag that some sites said would be the ongoing cost of having critters like that in my duplex. Some suggested a pair of pigs would set me back $2,000 annually.
Well, it soon emerged that was having pedigree Guinea Pigs that were pampered more than the wife. I was convinced that some pigs from the market could become part of the family, be a great learning experience for the children and not kill me financially. After all, some web pages said costs need not be high.
The Result
One thing I was determined to achieve was giving the pets – adorable things that were bought from a local market – a nice long and happy life but one in which I could get on with my job and one that the children could engage with and, most importantly clean up after easily.
Rather than pay for a cage (ugh who wants to be caged) we sectioned off part of one of our balconies and covered it with fake grass. The new additions to the family were soon trained to pooh in one place and eat in another. Our climate means they are comfortable.
We knocked together places for them to hide, run and exercise utilizing bits of old wood from a local carpenter. And we put potted plants all around to give the area a natural feel.
Peace of Mind
The kids are learning and my reticence about caging pets is gone. Guests say they’ll do the same for their brats.
Finally old fruit and veg, previously trashed, is now gobbled up supplementing the pigs’ rabbit food diet.
Kids happy. Dad happy. Job done ethically, economically originally.
