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"G-Force" And Teaching Your Kids Tough Love
Posted by: jn at 3:34PM MT on July 26, 2009
 It happens every time a pet-themed movie comes out in theaters. 101 Dalmatians (and it's sequel), Beverly Hills Chihuahua, the yellow lab retriever in Marley and Me. And so on and so on...here we go again with Disney's G-Force. Every single time, parents relent and buy or adopt one of the adorable icons for their children. And every single time, shelters across the country are soon inundated with those relinquished icons. Kids and adults alike might enjoy the animated little critters and 3-D effects in the movies. But, young kids aren't able to distinguish fantasy critters from live critters, nor do they understand the involvement of every day care, feeding, cleaning of cages, and playtime and bonding as well as veterinary care and expenses necessary to maintain the pet. A new pet is often a novelty item for a young child, and after a month or so, the novelty wears off, the pet becomes a "chore", becomes neglected by both the child and the parent who acted with disregard to the pet AND the child, and the pet inevitably ends up at a shelter. Sadly, many of them euthanized. One rescue group was so concerned, they were on hand at a theater's G-Force movie opening with guinea pigs on display to teach awareness about guinea pig ownership and adoption. (how cool is that!) Parents, be responsible, teach your kids that movies are not real life situations. Teach your kids that pets are a responsibility, for the lifetime of the pet. When you teach responsibility, you also teach admiration for, and compassion for the species. Your kids will admire and respect you more in the long run for not accommodating their every wish. If you feel your children are responsible caretakers for pets, then ensure both you and your child are aware of their special needs, including specific foods, accommodating environment, the need for regular veterinary care, activity and social needs. For guinea pigs, rodents, pocket pets, fish and some birds and reptiles, their life spans are relatively short, are you prepared to handle the grief aspect once the pet's life ends? Are you prepared to take over the care of the pet if your child eventually defaults on his/her promises? Think about that, research the species, teach your children well and you will then be armed to make informed and rational decisions. Let's review: Computer-generated animated guinea pig: no care required, except by mechanical intervention by movie crew and computer graphic artists. Approximate lifespan: Infinate, immortal, especially where royalties are concerned.  Real, live guinea pig: requires proper care by a real live human to feed, water, provide appropriate environment/habitat, play with, bond with, exercise, love, and receive regular veterinary care. Approximate lifespan: 5-7 years. |
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Because life ain't worth living without the dog who sniffs the guests and the cat who shreds the toiletpaper. All things fun and educational in the crazy world of pets.
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