Cats and dogs

I grew up lots of pets. We always had at least two dogs and two to three cats when I was a kid. I would relish the feeling of a warm, soft cat curled up on my bed, usually behind my bent knees as I was curled in my bed. Or watching TV with a cat lounged on my lap or batting at my feet. WE had dogs that would pull us on rollerblades or fetch tennis balls until they fell down exhausted to guard their bright green prey. I even had a dog that like to gather up white things. Socks, toys, rosary bags, anything small and white.

The point is that when I got out on my own, I had pets for a while. And I liked them. But between trying to figure out how to be a real grownup and taking care of my son and going to work and to school, (and between you and me, terrible house keeping skills) I didn't have the time to dedicate to pets that they diserved. SO when I left shane and was once again building a life for myself as an independent person, I avoided pets.

We were too poor, too busy, lived in no pet housing. And all that is true. I leave the house at 6:30 and don't get home until 4:30 or five most nights. That is over ten hours out of the house. A pet shouldn't be shut up that long.

And we do have monetary concerns. Pets need vet care, food, and they tear things up until they are trained. All that costs money.

Pets make messes. Litter boxes smell. Dogs poop and chew. Cats scratch things and shred toilet paper and kleenexes.

But I miss having a pet. I miss having that warm presence that purrs and kneeds. I miss having a floppy, happy tail wagging to meet me and run for a ball and go for walks with me.

I had the chance to pet a cat today. I can't think how long its been since a cat let me just pet it. They tend to be shy of people they do not know, but this one was outside of my babysitter's house and Gideon was petting it while I herded NOah into the car. He was a soft orange tabby with a cool nose, soft fur, and a ready pur.

I miss having pets. Real pets, not aquarium fish or hermit crabs.

Is it selfish of me to want to move to a different home and change jobs so that I can get a pet?