Our Little Cohabitants: Aka - Our Version of Kids
Mauser
Melvin
Luna
Animals have always been our form of kids rather than the human version.
While much of the world is determined to try and tell you that in order to fit in or be part of the norm, you have to have children, that is a life long decision that no one should be making lightly.
For me, I’ve known for decades now that I did not want kids.
I know, I know, I’m ready for the outcry of controversial statements as everyone always has their own opinion about this.
For the longest time, people would ask that ultimate question of “so when are you having kids?!“ And once they’d get the answer of “We’re not having kids,” the only reasonable response and conclusion they could surmise from this was “Oh, so you don’t like kids?“
This was how it made sense to people. This was how they could rationalize someone else not wanting a child. The only reasonable explanation for a person, primarily a woman, not wanting to create and bring life into this world because “it’s the best decision“ so many others have made ahead of me and I had no idea what I’d be missing because, “I would be an amazing mom.” That’s how every conversation would go.
My favorite part though? Pretty much every conversation like this that occurred, was instigated by a man. Someone who truly would never and could never understand or fully comprehend the total sacrifice and endless effort that one decision would entail.
And you know what? No one ever actually asked why I didn’t want kids. The assumption was there simply that because I didn’t want them, I didn’t like them, and the rest doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter that I grew up raising my own parents and siblings in many ways, and to an extent, I think I always will.
So as much as I can now, it’s my turn to get taken care of. It’s my turn to be selfish with my present and my future. It’s my turn to not spend the rest of my life pouring into someone else when I should be pouring into myself first.
And by doing that, I can still pour into our animals. We’ve had a few animals now with special needs or health issues and I know many will adamantly state “they’re not the same as kids,“ but honestly to us they are.
They still require so much love, attention, meds, doctors visits, walks, playtime. They require a lot, and for us, that is just about the extent we can give. And it’s truly awful when they go because they take a piece of you with them at the same time.
And you also know what? The world needs more people to adopt and take in these babies, so we will do our part as much as we can, and love as many as possible along the way.
Our Current Little Ones:
Mauser: Our little Boston Terrier that truly should have been a herding dog with how much he keeps everyone in sight. He has the biggest heart, loves baths, sunbathing, snuggling, and needs meds both in the AM and PM because of his health conditions that he’s had going on 8 1/2 years now. He’s 12 1/2 and probably shouldn’t even be here, but we’re so grateful that he is.
Melvin: Our Turkish Van cat is the most “normal“ pet we have who loves being outside stalking wildlife, drinking water out of absolutely everything, gets extra crazy when it’s windy outside, and takes bedtime very seriously.
Luna: Our Lynx Point Siamese came to us as a rescue, bringing with her a head tilt and extra shifty eyes due to some neurological issues, but that doesn’t stop her from playing with toys, running up and down the hallway with myself and Mauser, and loving on everything, especially Jeff. *She just recently passed after writing this.*
