Just one pet?

RevMojo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 07:10 AM

Surely I'm not the only one out there with just one pet and no desire to add another. How many of the rest of you have an "only child"???

We could probably discuss why as well. For me, it's a couple of reasons...primarily, I'm busy. I'd rather not nor can I afford to devote an excessive amount of time to feeding, cleaning, and other maintenance. I'd rather give one pet a good home than have hundreds living in squalor because life and/or laziness gets in the way of me taking proper care of them. Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that you can't take care of a large number of herps. I've seen large collections that were well cared for, and others that weren't maintained as well. My decision is based on personal acceptance of my limitations. I've seen a number of people through the years that get into it, acquire large collections rapidly, then suddenly run into trouble. To be fair, I've seen it with people and small collections too. The lizard I have now (hence all the live feeding comments on that other thread), while not my favorite creature, will live out a nice happy life, then I'll get something else. Nothing attainable now won't still be there when I'm ready to get something new, barring further legislative idiocy. In all likelihood, the selection will be even better. I don't think this makes me any less of a "serious herper." I think the true measure of your seriousness as an enthusiast is best measured by the care you provide, not by the quantity.

OK, off my soapbox. Getting back to the point of my post. How many of the rest of you only have one, and why?

Jem_Scout · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 07:42 AM

Does it count if they have one of each? Like one dog, one cat, one snake, one lizard......
I'm just kidding!
I don't have 'just one' of anything...so I'll just leave the thread now. LOL

Smits · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 08:02 AM

yeah, i'm out too lol

woodrow · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 01:05 PM

Sometimes, I wish..lol. We have 2 snakes, 2 frogs, 2 cats and a dog.

Ekke · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 01:18 PM

I only have one reason I haven't bought the next one yet. But then 1 parrot 4 dogs 2 kids 1 husband does keep me busy.

-KB- · #6 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 02:26 PM

Rev, I agree with you, quality not quantity. I have 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 fish, and 1 snakie. The cat plays outside during the day while the dog is attached to my hip, then both sleep with me at night. I hold Kobi everyday when I get off work for an hour or two, somtimes more, and let her get her excercize and play. I spend quality time with each animal everyday. If I had more animals, I would not be able to devote the time and attention to each that I do now.

So long story short, you aren't alone!

WVW · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobi Baby

Rev, I agree with you, quality not quantity. I have 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 fish, and 1 snakie. The cat plays outside during the day while the dog is attached to my hip, then both sleep with me at night. I hold Kobi everyday when I get off work for an hour or two, somtimes more, and let her get her excercize and play. I spend quality time with each animal everyday. If I had more animals, I would not be able to devote the time and attention to each that I do now.
So long story short, you aren't alone!

yeah I agree with you there kobi, I always want to be able to give the best care and attn to my pets, so I will prob never have 40 snakes like some people.

Right now I have only 1 snake and thats it, but just because I'm deciding what my next snake will be. There are so many I want. and once I get a better place, I wanna get a pit bull, and maybe a cat or 5.

stalk · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 10:02 PM

I also believe in lots of quality time over a large collection. My three dogs are pack animals so I spend lots of time together with them. I play with my cat whenever she comes to me (she doesn't like to be played with unless she goes to the person). My snakes get about 30 to 45 minutes whenever they are not digesting or shedding. This really is my limit, I feel. I still have free time and could in theory have a few more pets without compromising what I do now, but I'd rather keep that as free time just in case something happens.

Ursa Minor · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 11:59 PM

Well I started out with one...the rest are rescues...

Stargazer · #10 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 01:58 AM

Wrong site, Rev. We're all a bunch of addicts around here. I don't think anyone here can stop at one.

tokaysrnice · #11 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 02:04 AM

I'm definatley out of the one pet catagory. I'm at 21 right now but 10 are babies waiting to go to thier new homes. I do agree with quality over quantity and having all these extra pines to clean up after re-afirms the not to many idea! On another note the only way I could keep everything I want is to start a zoo lol. I'm a firm believer in giving every body way bigger cages than needed, and the only time I want to use a rack is with babies.
Nate

RevMojo · #12 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Wrong site, Rev. We're all a bunch of addicts around here. I don't think anyone here can stop at one.

Besides me I guess.

I'm not condemning large collections, by any means, just wondering if I'm the only one who realized their limit is one.

Stargazer · #13 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 03:54 AM

I have 2 cats and 2 snakes. I think everything should come in twos.

tokaysrnice · #14 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 03:59 AM

Yeah twos is cool especially breeding pairs, doh that means alot more baby snakes, It looks like I'm ada ada ada addicted.
Nate

zsanorah · #15 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 04:15 AM

I personally have a small zoo. But everyone gets their own time with me daily. My dog is with me almost constantly, sleeps with me for love's sake. My snakey kids get about 45-1hr handling a day. Sometimes while im cleaning his or her home. But it always starts out every day with me grabbing the first of them along with their water dish, cleaning that and putting fresh (bottled) water in their dish and then the usual holding and exercise and exploration. I would never have more animals then i could give proper one on one care and attention. Knowing your animals is the first step in knowing something is wrong...
My hedgie gets just as much attention as the snakes and the dog's and attention mooch so he's always around.

fishmommy · #16 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 02:25 PM

I agree with your sentiment

my pets are my life, and I too put their welfare first. All of my animals are in large display cages and I spend time with each every day.

My limit on mammals is two
My limit on herps is going to be four I think, though I only have one so far.
My limit on fish is pretty large

I constantly have the desire to obtain more pets. it keeps me up at night. I fight it by setting firm limits. having a skeptical spouse helps too

RevMojo · #17 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmommy

I agree with your sentiment

my pets are my life...

Maybe that's the difference...my pet is not the center of my life, and only having one lets me keep it that way.

stalk · #18 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevMojo

Maybe that's the difference...my pet is not the center of my life, and only having one lets me keep it that way.

Yeah that's pretty much it. I live and breath animals (and fur). It is my raison d'etre I think.

Stargazer · #19 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 04:49 PM

My pets used to be the center of my life. Then I discovered RTB. Now RTB is the center of my life (lol).

Red-Tailed_mustang · #20 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 05:56 PM

To me pets are like pringles once you pop you just can't stop if only i won the lottery I would have a zoo or 2.

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