Our Own Little Zoo

Any reasonable person would consider a home with three sons to be much like a zoo and find no rationale for adding animal friends to the chaos.  After all, three energetic boys have their own mouths to feed, bodies to groom, and habitations to clean.  Furthermore, they make plenty of noise, participate in much activity, and play rather wildly together. 

Of course, our sons are growing up, becoming more independent, responsible, and able to care for themselves.  So although their very active lives give us much to do, we recognize the benefits of having pets and recently gave our permission to add two more to our home. Two more to the two we already have. 

You see, we have our “family” pet – a five year-old cockapoo dog for whom each member is responsible in some way.  Mike and I provide for Baci’s financial needs and keep her hair and nails trimmed.  The boys feed and bath her and take her out when needed. We all give her lots of love and play time.

Just over two years ago, Zachary added pet number two, a brown gerbil he earned the right to purchase.  Rino (no “h”), now a senior adult in gerbil years, belongs solely to our youngest son.  Zachary buys his food, cleans his cage, and manages every aspect of his gerbil’s life. Much like his owner, Rino is highly creative, designing new nests almost weekly; no two have ever looked exactly alike!

Rino mostly ignores Baci. Baci would like to eat Rino and is at times highly disturbed - yes, even after two years – by the presence of this tiny creature in our home.

So why add a pair of small birds to the mix? Perhaps our curiosity and willingness to adopt these pets was in part because my own grandpa raised birds for a time when I was a child.  I remember being mesmerized by dozens of birds of various types – parakeets, cockatiels, cockatoos, finches, and so forth – flying in his backyard building designed for that purpose.

Brandon first showed interest in owning a parakeet several months ago, and finally worked up the courage to broach the topic just before Christmas.  Mike and I agreed on the condition that he take full responsibility for the bird, including all financial costs and its general care.

On the last day of 2012, Brandon excitedly bought home Crusoe, our third pet.  Named after Daniel Defoe’s famous title character, Crusoe carefully studies all that is around him.  His curious, yet mild manner reflects that of his owner. He has quickly developed a trust in Brandon and will chirp or squawk if he is away too long.

Nicholas soon began scheming for a small pet of his own, but Mike made it easy for him by simply asking if he would also like one. Nicholas eagerly acknowledged his desire, and based upon the same conditions given to Brandon, we consented.  Nicholas chose a parakeet and immediately began making arrangements to purchase a cage and other items. 

On January 18, we welcomed Fife to our home. Like his namesake, Deputy Barney Fife, he has big aspirations (flying), but is short on achievement (bumping into walls and falling to the floor). Initially temperamental, Fife is now becoming tamer and more tolerant of humans. We are beginning to see a sweet bird emerge from that guarded little fellow after all.

That’s our little zoo – three sons, two birds, a gerbil, and a dog!  We’re quite content with the responsibilities, the rewards, and the little creatures God has entrusted to us!

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind….' And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:24a, 25b