Editor's Note

A bunch of us were sitting around the office recently reminiscing about our youth and remembering what it was like to be a kid. I told this story:
When I was in grade school, we had a holiday pageant just before we broke for our December break. Each classroom was asked to sing a carol in front of an audience consisting mostly of parents and family members. I was in first grade at the time.
    I remember my classmates filing on stage and taking their places on the risers. I was one of three students who volunteered to play an instrument. My fellow musicians and I sat center stage while our classmates sang behind us. As we finished our song and the audience applauded, I stood up alone, walked to the front of the stage, and took a bow. It was wildly inappropriate, but the crowd laughed and smiled.
    Telling this story sparked childhood memories and I began thinking about all the animals I lived with while growing up. My first pet was a parakeet named Birdie, whom we adopted while living outside of Minneapolis. It was not the most original name, but I was 4 at the time. Birdie was my first brush with pet guardianship, although at that age, I suspect my parents shouldered the responsibility of caring for his needs. Birdie died one night while my parents were hosting a dinner party. An appetizer had been overcooked and the kitchen where we kept Birdie’s cage filled with smoke. After the commotion had settled I looked into his cage and said, “Look, Birdie’s sleeping.”
    My next pet was a rabbit named Cotton. Our family was living in St. Louis and I was 6 years old. Cotton didn’t live very long. I remember seeing him shivering one day; he didn’t look well. Back in those days, we didn’t think to take a rabbit to the vet and Cotton died shortly thereafter. My father gave him a proper burial in the back of our expansive wooded lot. Cotton’s sister, on the other hand, lived nearly 12 exuberant years under our care.
    We settled in the Chicago area after leaving St. Louis. Here we adopted our first family cat. I named him Jerry after Tom and Jerry. I know what you’re thinking, “Isn’t Tom the cat?” At least I didn’t name him after Ben and Jerry. We adopted him from a local shelter, but he wasn’t with us for very long. I don’t know why we eventually surrendered him to the shelter. At the time, my mom hated cats and at age 7, I probably wasn’t the best caretaker.
    Of course, I wish our family had handled things differently. Thankfully, times are changing. Today there is superior veterinary care available for animals like Cotton and fewer families are surrendering their pets when the going gets tough. The combination of kids and pets together can be a match made in heaven, but it takes maturity and parental supervision as well. Kids naturally adore animals and pet guardianship teaches them valuable life lessons about companionship, responsibility, parenting, and much more. However, children’s minds tend to wander in many directions and no adult should adopt an animal thinking their child will become the sole caretaker of the newest family member. Be sure you’re ready to be an integral part of the growth process for your child and your new pet.
    Enjoy our annual back-to-school issue. We’ve stuffed it full of information geared to kids and pets. Check out Mark Peters’ article on opportunities for young people to volunteer with animals. Our very own Tails founder, Janice Brown, asked her children to help her review books for kids. We’re certain you’ll be delighted with their choices. Writer Greg Presto wins a merit badge for bringing us a story on Dog Scouts of America, an organization devoted to enhancing the humane/canine bond and promoting responsible pet guardianship. See if there’s a troop in your neighborhood.
    I hope that as you read this, your pet is nestled safely at your side. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Jason Heidemann
Jason@OhioValleyTails.com