My five-year-old grandson wanted a pet. His parents, trying to avoid the problem, bought him a clam from the fishmongers. They named him Gustav. Sadly, Gustav was left out in the sun, and perished. Undeterred, they bought Gustav 11, and put him in a tank of water. He too perished.
"What's the point of a pet with no brain?" I asked Son on the phone, when told this sad news.
"Don't clams have brains?" asked Son.
Following a short interval for the purposes of googling clams, Son said, "clams don't have brains."
So it's back to the drawing board (currently, the idea being goldfish).
Watch this space for a series of very sad posts on the subject of children's pets, and their tendency almost invariably to come to a sticky end. There's more to come....
This is really sad.
ReplyDeletePoor child and poor clam.
I don't think either of them minded much, Adrian.
DeleteMay I suggest a smallish, scruffy, Terrier type dog; preferably a mongrel. A boy and a dog growing up together is perfect.
ReplyDeleteHm. I think the idea was a hassle free pet, and dogs are not that. I know. I've had them.
DeleteOh dear!
ReplyDeleteWhile I like Cro Magnon's suggestion of a dog as a pet, a terrier type is not the best choice for a little boy. Terriers were originally bred to be aggressive little buggers who'd snatch and bite and hunt their prey in badger's dens etc., not suitable as play-friends for children.
There is so much to consider! Hamsters are nocturnal and not much fun for a kid during the day. Guinea pigs and rabbits should never kept single, and they mean endless rounds of cleaning out cages. Same with birds. Fish... well, they are nice to look at, but do they make good pets?
I was lucky to always have cats around. Still miss my last and next-to-last ones, they were ace.
I have a pair of terriers and they love children. They only eat them if they are cooked properly.
DeleteDealing with aggressive little buggers is part of a boy's essential upbringing. Boy bites dog, etc.
DeleteMeike, I've had all those pets in my time, and more. Most of them ended in (my) tears. I should have stuck to teddies....
DeleteHow about a wild area in the garden to attract hedgehogs, frogs, bees. He wouldn't have to clean them out or take for a walk and he probably wouldn't get eaten. He would also be doing his bit for the environment.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, the garden is too small. Besides, small children and bees don't mix!
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ReplyDeleteI can't believe it. He bought him a clam! Plenty of slugs in the garden.
ReplyDeleteWendy, if you'd met my son, you'd believe it! Not sure his wife would like the slug idea. Snails,perhaps?
DeleteMy daughter only had one pet - a hamster called Hamish. When I found him stiff one day, I tried to revive him in the airing cupboard but he was definitely dead. Little daughter and I both cried and buried him in the garden. She would never have another pet (though she likes dogs). Son only had goldfish when he got older.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Hamish too. He escaped and met the cat in the stairs... :(
ReplyDeleteA tortoise (if you can get one). They live a long time and don't need walking or much looking after.
ReplyDeleteI have recently investigated how to look after a tortoise…….let me tell you, it is not an easy pet!
DeleteThey've thought of tortoises, but don't want a pet that will outlive them!
DeleteHow about 'No'. Son can even add a reason.
ReplyDeleteThat's what they've settled for, Graham. For now...
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