Why not more?

[Jay_Bunny]

Ok, here's what is bothering me. I know its her house and the whole "Her house, her rules thing" but I just don't get it. I have two cats, two 10g fish tanks, one 5g fish tank, one leopard gecko, and one corn snake. That is not a lot to me. I take care of them all. I can afford their food, care products, ect. I have the time to take care of them all. BUT when I ask for another snake or gecko, my grandmother says no and that I have too many animals already. ???

The way I see it, if someone can financially and physically give an animal everything it needs why not (this does not apply to wildlife or things like tigers). She trys to make it seem like I don't take care of my animals. She'll come downstairs and feed my cats because "the poor dears have no food" Well grandmother, thats because they just ate it all. "Oh a few treats won't hurt them" as she hands them a HANDFULL of treats each. My grandmother is a maniac. She can't even care for her dogs properly. Both dogs are supposed to weigh 6lbs. One is 11 and the other is close to 9.

So I really don't see how I'm not caring for the animals I have when she can't care for two dogs properly. She doesn't understand that "yes grandmother, I can take care of another gecko. I have the money for its supplies, food, heating, ect." So what is her response. "You have enough animals"

Once again...???...

[JLC]

We don't have to understand someone in order to respect their wishes in their own home. Instead of demanding that your grandmother see things your way....try being grateful for all that she's given you and the animals she does allow you to have.


I know it's not easy in our culture of wanting/expecting all our desires fulfilled immediately, but you won't always be living with her, so why not just let it go and live in peace for the time you have remaining with her?

[Jay_Bunny]

I'm not demanding that she see things my way. I just don't understand how she thinks. I do respect her and have not gotten any more animals. I am waiting until I move out. But it just really annoys me.

[wolfy-hound]

YOu shouldn't let that annoy you. You have quite a few pets already, and the suggestion that you be happy that she allowed that many is a good one. A negative emotion will do no good. Think of it as you saving money up until you move out and can get the critters you REALLY want but can't afford right now.
Some people simply think that you need to devote all of your time to an animal, even when you only need to give them a small amount. A dog needs tons of attention, but a lot of reptiles are healthier and happier with less.. much less. Especially less hands-on time. But someone more focused on furry pets won't understand that.
Just nod and smile and care for what you have until you get to move out.
Respecting our elder's wishes is a good thing. She's housing you, and your pets, being a bit more grateful about it would make you be more positive.
Wolfy

[Nate]

buy her a snake for her birthday

[4theSNAKElady]

You're pretty lucky, I think. MY mother only let me have a chinchilla and a fishtank when ai lived at home....she kept saying I could have 100 animals if I wanted, as soon as I move out. Just think, I know you know you can afford the new pet, but think of the money you can put towards a new place where you call the shots. Trust me, the waiting is worth it in the long run.

[Rapture]

I had the same problem when I was living with my aunt. She would not allow reptiles of any kind. We had one house cat and that was it. I finally talked her into letting me have a small conure. I hid a tarantula under my bed and she found it... that did not go over well!

In the end, I had to wait until I moved out to go to college until I could get my first snake. I also had mice, tarantulas, and a bearded dragon. Now I have a nice number of snakes, a crested gecko, rats, 2 dogs, one cat...

Anyway the point is, if you can't do anything about it, leave it alone... it's a waste of good energy to be angry about it. At the same time I know how it feels to want something and have someone hold you back from your passion.