Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Keeping Animals
Corallyn Berger
We currently have a dog, actually 2 since we are
dogwatching for mil the next few months, and 2 cats.
It has been good for the kids I think. The cat had
babies, we have one left (the other we gave away). It
was good experience for the kids to watch the cat
change during pg and then to watch the babies grow.
Also, on the care, of course the vet I pretty much
handle be cause my oldest is 5, but it is something
that I involve the kids in as well. I make sure they
feed and water the animals every day and they are
happy to do so. 3yod, I think, has finally quit
retrieving her cat and sticking it face in the food
when she feeds it. I don't know how many times I had
to tell her that the cat doesn't need help eating. I
think she gets this from watching me nurse her little
brother. When we get the cow I intend to let them help
with the feeding and watering as well. They loved
feeding hay to mema's cow when we would go for a
visit.
Corallyn
--- NumoAstro@... wrote:
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dogwatching for mil the next few months, and 2 cats.
It has been good for the kids I think. The cat had
babies, we have one left (the other we gave away). It
was good experience for the kids to watch the cat
change during pg and then to watch the babies grow.
Also, on the care, of course the vet I pretty much
handle be cause my oldest is 5, but it is something
that I involve the kids in as well. I make sure they
feed and water the animals every day and they are
happy to do so. 3yod, I think, has finally quit
retrieving her cat and sticking it face in the food
when she feeds it. I don't know how many times I had
to tell her that the cat doesn't need help eating. I
think she gets this from watching me nurse her little
brother. When we get the cow I intend to let them help
with the feeding and watering as well. They loved
feeding hay to mema's cow when we would go for a
visit.
Corallyn
--- NumoAstro@... wrote:
> I can only assume that letting my child have an__________________________________________________
> animal is part of this
> unschooling thing. Zak told me last week he would
> like to have 2 rabbits
> "real ones" he said that we could keep in the
> garden. So we are going to
> look at animals today, including rabbits. Went to
> our 2nd hand bookstore and
> found books on caring for rabbits, which lots of
> pictures in them (sort of DK
> type books), which are are going to give him this
> morning before our trip.
>
> I'm sort of nervous about the whole rabbit thing as
> I don't want to end up
> being the one who looks after them the majority of
> the time.
>
> When getting animals in the past has been something
> your kids request how
> have you handled them taking the responsibility?
> What kind of research to
> they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some
> feedback would be helpful.
>
> Dawn F
>
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In a message dated 7/D/YY 8:33:37 AM Central Daylight Time, NumoAstro@...
writes:
<<
When getting animals in the past has been something your kids request how
have you handled them taking the responsibility? What kind of research to
they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some feedback would be helpful.
Dawn F
---------------------------- >>
Dawn F,
I do not know where you live but here is a link from Google for Rabbit Rescue
services throughout the US.
<A HREF="http://www.rabbit.org/links/sections/groups.html">Independent
Rabbit Rescue</A>
Maybe you could find one close enough to you, that you guys could go out and
talk to these people.
They could help you and the kids make a good decision, give good care tips
and you could adopted a rabbit from them or maybe even foster a rabbit. If
they have a foster program than you could do that with out being obligated to
keep the rabbit if it doesnt work out.
Ms Snotty Girdle Pants
Pansy g, acco'din' t' th' code o' th' heells! in texas
Th' fastess drawl of th' south.
Ev'ryone sh'd haf at least one Redneck in th' fambly.
writes:
<<
When getting animals in the past has been something your kids request how
have you handled them taking the responsibility? What kind of research to
they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some feedback would be helpful.
Dawn F
---------------------------- >>
Dawn F,
I do not know where you live but here is a link from Google for Rabbit Rescue
services throughout the US.
<A HREF="http://www.rabbit.org/links/sections/groups.html">Independent
Rabbit Rescue</A>
Maybe you could find one close enough to you, that you guys could go out and
talk to these people.
They could help you and the kids make a good decision, give good care tips
and you could adopted a rabbit from them or maybe even foster a rabbit. If
they have a foster program than you could do that with out being obligated to
keep the rabbit if it doesnt work out.
Ms Snotty Girdle Pants
Pansy g, acco'din' t' th' code o' th' heells! in texas
Th' fastess drawl of th' south.
Ev'ryone sh'd haf at least one Redneck in th' fambly.
Michael A Stefanic
Hi Dawn,
I think caring for animals is a wonderful way for children to learn to
have empathy for other beings. Also to develop a sense of
responsibility. However, any pet should be the ultimate responsibility
of the adult in the family. Pets are more then just an interesting
experiment. You have chosen to care for another living being, a child is
not capable of fully comprehending that. You must consider food costs,
vet costs (a possibility even for rabbits), potential damage caused by
the pet and if you are willing to deal with it, and the life span of the
pet-can you keep them that length of time. All of this goes along with
the joy of pet ownership.
In regards to the miracle of birth, unfortunately for pets in the United
States, the "miracle" of death is far too common. There are not enough
homes and millions of unwanted pets. The babies you as an owner find
homes for are statistically very likely not in a permanent home and you
cannot guarantee the new owner will not have babies too. Euthanasia is
often the only "solution" for millions of unwanted pets. Some shelters
also have small animals such as rabbits, rats and guinea pigs. Please
check with your local shelter.
Just a note of caution about rabbits; I don't know if by "in the garden"
you meant in a hutch or not. As a kid we had rabbits who we fenced in a
small section of our yard. They dug way underground and came up on the
other side of the fence and had a hay day in our garden. My sister and I
thought it was great but my mom was not nearly as thrilled.
Sorry for being preachy, pets and pet overpopulation is a sensitive
subject with me.
~Shelley
I think caring for animals is a wonderful way for children to learn to
have empathy for other beings. Also to develop a sense of
responsibility. However, any pet should be the ultimate responsibility
of the adult in the family. Pets are more then just an interesting
experiment. You have chosen to care for another living being, a child is
not capable of fully comprehending that. You must consider food costs,
vet costs (a possibility even for rabbits), potential damage caused by
the pet and if you are willing to deal with it, and the life span of the
pet-can you keep them that length of time. All of this goes along with
the joy of pet ownership.
In regards to the miracle of birth, unfortunately for pets in the United
States, the "miracle" of death is far too common. There are not enough
homes and millions of unwanted pets. The babies you as an owner find
homes for are statistically very likely not in a permanent home and you
cannot guarantee the new owner will not have babies too. Euthanasia is
often the only "solution" for millions of unwanted pets. Some shelters
also have small animals such as rabbits, rats and guinea pigs. Please
check with your local shelter.
Just a note of caution about rabbits; I don't know if by "in the garden"
you meant in a hutch or not. As a kid we had rabbits who we fenced in a
small section of our yard. They dug way underground and came up on the
other side of the fence and had a hay day in our garden. My sister and I
thought it was great but my mom was not nearly as thrilled.
Sorry for being preachy, pets and pet overpopulation is a sensitive
subject with me.
~Shelley
[email protected]
Thank you... Humane Society in Tucson... They have rabbits and we are off
there when the little one wakes up from his nap.
Dawn F
there when the little one wakes up from his nap.
Dawn F
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/D/YY 10:55:58 AM Central Daylight Time, sveetp@...
writes:
<<
Sorry for being preachy, pets and pet overpopulation is a sensitive
subject with me.
~Shelley >>
Shelley,
Thank you so much for saying this, I too am sensitive about this subject as
well. Unfortunately using animals that are overpopulated, to let children
witness the miracle of birth, is just not giving the kids a good lesson.
Unless of course you explain to them what will happen to these animals.
Dawn really really check out a rabbit rescue service, it is very possible
they may have a foster program. That is a much better route than going to
say a pet shop or a feed store from them.
Ms Snotty Girdle Pants
Pansy g, acco'din' t' th' code o' th' heells! in texas
Th' fastess drawl of th' south.
Ev'ryone sh'd haf at least one Redneck in th' fambly.
writes:
<<
Sorry for being preachy, pets and pet overpopulation is a sensitive
subject with me.
~Shelley >>
Shelley,
Thank you so much for saying this, I too am sensitive about this subject as
well. Unfortunately using animals that are overpopulated, to let children
witness the miracle of birth, is just not giving the kids a good lesson.
Unless of course you explain to them what will happen to these animals.
Dawn really really check out a rabbit rescue service, it is very possible
they may have a foster program. That is a much better route than going to
say a pet shop or a feed store from them.
Ms Snotty Girdle Pants
Pansy g, acco'din' t' th' code o' th' heells! in texas
Th' fastess drawl of th' south.
Ev'ryone sh'd haf at least one Redneck in th' fambly.
[email protected]
I am, I am guys!!!! That's why I wanted feedback... I have absolutely no
intention of purchasing said rabbit today. Today is a "let's look at what's
involved" day. I already talked to hubbie about which "grown up" was
actually going to have to do the taking care and we've both decided we could
handle it between us. I like the idea of a foster rabbit and called the
Humane Society and are going there to take a look this morning. I've only
ever had cats when I lived in England (and didn't bring them to the States)
so have no idea about other animals. (My cats went to 2 good homes before
anybody wants to know what became of them)...
This is more an experiment of "what's Zak really interested in" than "let's
get a pet".. I'm actually quite reluctant to have animals until I know
everything there is to know about said species.
Oh well off on our trip.
Dawn F
intention of purchasing said rabbit today. Today is a "let's look at what's
involved" day. I already talked to hubbie about which "grown up" was
actually going to have to do the taking care and we've both decided we could
handle it between us. I like the idea of a foster rabbit and called the
Humane Society and are going there to take a look this morning. I've only
ever had cats when I lived in England (and didn't bring them to the States)
so have no idea about other animals. (My cats went to 2 good homes before
anybody wants to know what became of them)...
This is more an experiment of "what's Zak really interested in" than "let's
get a pet".. I'm actually quite reluctant to have animals until I know
everything there is to know about said species.
Oh well off on our trip.
Dawn F
Brown
I have 4 boys and we have had various pets at various times. I have to say that
they have all responded differently to their responsibilities. They generally
start off enthusiastic, but then get sick of the concept. Our rabbits are still
fed and watered, but their hutch doesn't get cleaned out nearly often enough
(still, that's only my opinion - if you looked at the kids rooms you'd see that
they treat the rabbits better than themselves I guess :-( ) and they don't get
them out and play with them often enough, which means they are no longer very
tame. The dog is new, and so far well looked after. The cat was looked after very
well in her later years by my youngest, but earlier, I had to be constantly
nagging my eldest to do it.
Be aware of your child's ways: my #2 couldn't clean out the rabbit hutch without
vommiting! He just couldn't cope with handling poop! #3 cleans up the dog messes
without a second thought.
I think the animals *are* my responsibility. I help the kids when they aren't
coping, because the animal must be cared for or it dies. I think that if you make
that decision to have pets, life will be a lot easier if you accept beforehand
that the pet is your responsibility, even if you delegate that responsibility
most of the time. Otherwise, i guarantee you will end up feeling resentful! Been
there, done that <g>
Carol
NumoAstro@... wrote:
they have all responded differently to their responsibilities. They generally
start off enthusiastic, but then get sick of the concept. Our rabbits are still
fed and watered, but their hutch doesn't get cleaned out nearly often enough
(still, that's only my opinion - if you looked at the kids rooms you'd see that
they treat the rabbits better than themselves I guess :-( ) and they don't get
them out and play with them often enough, which means they are no longer very
tame. The dog is new, and so far well looked after. The cat was looked after very
well in her later years by my youngest, but earlier, I had to be constantly
nagging my eldest to do it.
Be aware of your child's ways: my #2 couldn't clean out the rabbit hutch without
vommiting! He just couldn't cope with handling poop! #3 cleans up the dog messes
without a second thought.
I think the animals *are* my responsibility. I help the kids when they aren't
coping, because the animal must be cared for or it dies. I think that if you make
that decision to have pets, life will be a lot easier if you accept beforehand
that the pet is your responsibility, even if you delegate that responsibility
most of the time. Otherwise, i guarantee you will end up feeling resentful! Been
there, done that <g>
Carol
NumoAstro@... wrote:
> I'm sort of nervous about the whole rabbit thing as I don't want to end up
> being the one who looks after them the majority of the time.
>
> When getting animals in the past has been something your kids request how
> have you handled them taking the responsibility? What kind of research to
> they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some feedback would be helpful.
>
> Dawn F
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/17/00 8:33:48 AM Central Daylight Time,
NumoAstro@... writes:
<< When getting animals in the past has been something your kids request how
have you handled them taking the responsibility? What kind of research to
they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some feedback would be helpful.
raising tadpoles since mid June. They are now out in the back yard in a
plastic baby pool, and are beginning to grow their back legs! From this, we
expanded our learning to include fish, so we bought a 10 gal aquarium, and
have gradually added 10 fish. My oldest (almost 6yo) helps to feed the fish,
and likes to help me clean the tank. In addition to that we have a dog, and
my son takes her out to "use the potty", and sometimes feeds her, too. We
have not done a lot of research, but we did get some books on frogs, and
looked up info on frogs on the web. I have taken him and his bro. to 2
different pet stores to see different fish, and they have seen me show how to
treat water to remove chlorine, boil rocks before adding them to the tank,
etc... I have also made it a point to tell the kids the breed names of our
fish, so they can begin to learn them. In addition, we have a goldfish pond
out back, and we also made it a point to watch birds and butterflies over
this summer, and looked up varieties of both on the web. That's as much as
we have done with animals so far. I would love to raise rabbits one day--
got to convince dh to go along with it though! :) ~Karen
NumoAstro@... writes:
<< When getting animals in the past has been something your kids request how
have you handled them taking the responsibility? What kind of research to
they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some feedback would be helpful.
>>Hi Dawn, we started out this summer finding some frog eggs. We have been
raising tadpoles since mid June. They are now out in the back yard in a
plastic baby pool, and are beginning to grow their back legs! From this, we
expanded our learning to include fish, so we bought a 10 gal aquarium, and
have gradually added 10 fish. My oldest (almost 6yo) helps to feed the fish,
and likes to help me clean the tank. In addition to that we have a dog, and
my son takes her out to "use the potty", and sometimes feeds her, too. We
have not done a lot of research, but we did get some books on frogs, and
looked up info on frogs on the web. I have taken him and his bro. to 2
different pet stores to see different fish, and they have seen me show how to
treat water to remove chlorine, boil rocks before adding them to the tank,
etc... I have also made it a point to tell the kids the breed names of our
fish, so they can begin to learn them. In addition, we have a goldfish pond
out back, and we also made it a point to watch birds and butterflies over
this summer, and looked up varieties of both on the web. That's as much as
we have done with animals so far. I would love to raise rabbits one day--
got to convince dh to go along with it though! :) ~Karen
Lynda
How old is your son? While rabbits look cute and sweet, unless they are
handled from birth they can be quite a handful for a smaller child. They
kick and have razor sharp toe nails and they also bite. Some breeds like
lops are more inclined to be mellow and some of the dwarf breeds are quite
agressive.
Along with the rescue folks you might check with your local ag extention
office and see if their is a local 4-H'er that would "mentor" your son when
he first gets his rabbit. The older kidlets had 4-H show rabbits and they
mentored new rabbit owners.
Lynda
----------
handled from birth they can be quite a handful for a smaller child. They
kick and have razor sharp toe nails and they also bite. Some breeds like
lops are more inclined to be mellow and some of the dwarf breeds are quite
agressive.
Along with the rescue folks you might check with your local ag extention
office and see if their is a local 4-H'er that would "mentor" your son when
he first gets his rabbit. The older kidlets had 4-H show rabbits and they
mentored new rabbit owners.
Lynda
----------
> From: NumoAstro@...and
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Keeping Animals
> Date: Monday, July 17, 2000 6:32 AM
>
> I can only assume that letting my child have an animal is part of this
> unschooling thing. Zak told me last week he would like to have 2 rabbits
> "real ones" he said that we could keep in the garden. So we are going to
> look at animals today, including rabbits. Went to our 2nd hand bookstore
> found books on caring for rabbits, which lots of pictures in them (sortof DK
> type books), which are are going to give him this morning before ourtrip.
>up
> I'm sort of nervous about the whole rabbit thing as I don't want to end
> being the one who looks after them the majority of the time.to
>
> When getting animals in the past has been something your kids request how
> have you handled them taking the responsibility? What kind of research
> they (the kids) do before having and animal? Some feedback would behelpful.
>
> Dawn F
>
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