Critter Acquistion Syndrome
I have a real weakness for critters. My sister does too, but she lives in a city. She and I have labeled our weakness C.A.S. Critter Acquisition Syndrome. I always tell her when I'm thinking about getting new critters and she always quizzes me to help me think through my "wanting".
She asks me:
Do you have the time to take care of another animal?
Are you willing to give up that time that you might have spent on other things taking care of this new animal?
Why do you want another animal?
Why aren't you happy with the animals you already have?
If you get sick, or want to travel, who will take care of the new animal.?
Thinking through this questions really helps. Most of the time I realize my "wanting" is because I am stressed or frustrated by something else in my life. Thinking about getting a new pet becomes a way to avoid dealing with the stress. I realize now that adding another critter will just add to my stress not lessen it.
She asks me:
Do you have the time to take care of another animal?
Are you willing to give up that time that you might have spent on other things taking care of this new animal?
Why do you want another animal?
Why aren't you happy with the animals you already have?
If you get sick, or want to travel, who will take care of the new animal.?
Thinking through this questions really helps. Most of the time I realize my "wanting" is because I am stressed or frustrated by something else in my life. Thinking about getting a new pet becomes a way to avoid dealing with the stress. I realize now that adding another critter will just add to my stress not lessen it.
