Most kids want a pet, whether it is a cute kitten or an adorable puppy, a parakeet or a goldfish. Before dashing out to the nearest pet store or animal shelter, though, it is wise to think about some of the realities of pet ownership.

The first thing to remember is that the pet will be another member of the family. Don’t adopt a dog to be a watchdog, tied to a chain in the backyard or a kitten to be a come-and-go cat. Canaries are beautiful and may sing, but each bird has its own personality and even choosing a goldfish – or other fish – is not as easy as it seems.

Next, keep in mind that pets require care. If the kids aren’t old enough or responsible enough to see to the daily needs of the family pet, it’s a sure bet that Mom or Dad will be doing duty. Consider if you have time in your schedule to house-train a pup or litter box train that kitten. Is there a block of time for cleaning the aquarium or re-lining the bird cage each day? Pets of all types need food, water, and interaction on a daily basis. If a busy schedule doesn’t permit, it might be better to pass on a pet.

If you travel, remember that a pet will need to be taken along (which creates its own set of complications) or that care must be arranged. Whether it’s boarding the dog at a local facility or asking a neighbor to feed the fish, travelers with pets need to plan ahead.

Last but not least, consider if the child truly wants a pet or if he or she may tire of the pet after a few days (like toys in the closet).

Think first!

If I had to pick my favorite songbirds from the many different feathered friends who frequent my bird feeders outside, I would choose robins. Other visitors often include finches, house wrens, cardinals and small sparrows. The other birds are a close second, but I love the red-breasted robins.

Robins are a sure sign of spring. Each fall the robins migrate to warmer climates, so when I see the first few robins reappear in late February or early March I know that spring is not far behind. This past winter seemed both long and dreary. Repeated rounds of ice and sleet made travel difficult and kept my family homebound more than usual. When I saw that first little robin in my front yard, my heart soared with joy. Soon after that first sighting, robins were once again a common sight in the neighborhood. Within days, the first tender buds began to burst out on the tree branches, and my crocuses bloomed. I have watched the graceful, age-old mating ritual as the robins fly together up and down in an intricate way that seems like a dance. Although we still are experiencing a few cool days and cold nights, spring is beginning to spring, brought back with my little friends, the robins.

In past years, I have been privileged to watch robins build their sturdy nests and have peeped more than once at the blue robins’ eggs that lend their name to that particular shade of blue. Watching a pair of robins rear their nestlings is a heartwarming sight, too, and folklore says that happiness is sure to be found wherever robins build their nests.

My friends, the robins, are back, and so I am content to watch my feathered friends, the red-breasted robins, at work and play.