Uni High Gargoyle Staff Blog

Last week during Agora Days, I took a class taught by science teacher David Stone called Companion Animal Miscellany. Mr. Stone brought in these soft, cuddly puppies from the Champaign-Urbana Humane Society. The puppies, with their sad-looking eyes and frisky character, were absolutely irresistible. That day, I went home thinking: I want a pet.

My parents now dread the idea of me getting a pet. In the past, I’ve had everything from exotic animals like salamanders, parrots, and chickens to common pets such as guinea pigs, parakeets, dogs, and cats.

Each time I get a new pet, I would always exhibit the exact same pattern of behavior. Initially, I’d be obsessed with my new “toy,” playing with it constantly and not allowing it to rest. However, after a week or two, I’d lose interest in it and my parents would always end up taking care of it for me.

Growing up, I was an irresponsible child. When I was about 8 years old, I got a salamander. A few days later, I decided that it was grotesque looking. I soon forgot about its existence, and I found it shriveled up and dead a month later. Then I got a parrot, but it pooped a lot and refused to talk, so I didn’t care for that anymore, either.

Yes, I sound like an awful, cruel person. But as a little kid, I just didn’t understand the responsibility that came with having pets. I thought that they were like toys, which I could just toss aside when I didn’t want them anymore.

In third grade, I convinced my parents to get me a kitten. This time, I vowed that I would never get bored with it and would always take care of it. The kitten was incredibly adorable. I sincerely cared for it and I treated it like a princess. I even taught it to perform tricks and took it for walks outside on a leash.

However, pets, no matter how wonderful they are, can be so annoying at times. My cat would frequently howl at night. Since it was my job to keep it from disturbing my parents, I would often be up the entire night, trying to comfort it. Over the course of a year, I gradually lost interest in it and, again, my mom became its main caretaker.

Recalling these memories, I realized that I should hold that thought about wanting a puppy. With my busy schedule and my tendency of getting bored easily, I think that it’s probably best that I don’t get a pet.

All prospective pet owners should ask themselves: Do I have the time, patience, money, and energy to take care of an animal? Just like me back when I was little, many people don’t realize the commitment that comes with having a pet. It’s sad that so many cats and dogs end up at the Humane Society or on the streets because their owners abandoned them.

— Elaine Gu