Aimee has written about impulse pets before. She gave examples of how you might win a lizard or a gold fish at the carnival or fair and voila–you are a new pet owner. She pointed out pros and cons. Had I read her blog right before our fateful trip down the street I may have saved myself some money. Ahem. . .to be exact I may have saved myself $100. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The point is she clearly states in that blog under “The Bad Stuff” that an impulse pet will cost you in “food, toys and habitat upkeep.” But I didn’t read it before I bought which is how I found myself in my current predicament.
If you venture out of the pets blog and over to baby, or home schooling or even to the forums, you probably know that I have five kids. Not just five kids, but five little kids. At the time they were all under the age of 7, including a set of twins which of course are the youngest.
The day was hot and yucky and I had to run errands. To totally understand this story you need to know that we live in the inner city. Here, it is completely normal to see people selling things on the side of the street. Movies, goldfish, beta fish, candles, scented papers to make your home smell good, bottled water. . .are you getting the picture?
On this particular day, I had to run errands. I try really hard not to run errands with 5 children in tow. But we had to go somewhere and because they had been especially well behaved, I promised them a treat. Then it happened. As if from no where my son, found the little Chinese lady on the side of the street with a tank full of probably about 50 small turtles.
Yes, turtles on the street. In a tank. Right in front of my kids. The same kids who think it is completely feasible to just stick a pond out on the fire escape. So of course, having been promised a treat for awesomely good behavior. . .saw nothing but opportunity hiding under those shells.
You have likely figured out that I, having promised said treat, saw a perfect opportunity in these turtles. But to find out the rest of the story, you’ll have to come back later.
What I should’ve read before buying:
Come Out of Your Shell: Turtle Awareness