Bubba's Back!

Sarah again got to bring home the classroom gerbil, Bubba. He’s a little, black, friendly, and very active gerbil who’s been with the class since November of 2007. (by the way, the dates on our pictures are not accurate-we keep meaning to update the date and usually forget.) He’s quite tame and Sarah got him out often just to hold him and let him run around a little.

He really uses his exercise ball and rolls all around the house.

Sarah willingly (if not excitedly) cleaned out his cage. Plus we got him a new piece of fresh pear wood for a chew toy.

It’s a fun diversion to have a classroom pet for the weekend. Just a little bit of responsibility without the long term commitment to actually owning the pet. It’s a bit of a sad commentary that most of the classroom pets have come from homes where they were not wanted anymore. I think more research and caution would have resulted in fewer unwanted pets.

We’ve still got our 11 ½ year old and 8 year old dogs, 11 ½ year old cat, 5 year old guinea pig, 2 ½ year old white cloud fish and ~ 6 month old Hissing Madagascar Cockroaches. I was taught that when you get a pet you have that animal (or fish or insect or whatever genus) for its natural lifespan and that’s what I believe and follow. It has resulted in a geriatric pet household for us. Even though some of our pets have exceeded a typical lifespan for their kind that’s okay because we’re willing to have pets and enjoy them at this stage of life for as long as they are here with us. [ I have drawn the line at hermit crabs, rats, rabbits and a few other pets even though the kids have suggested such creatures-one can only do so much. The cockroaches only passed muster because they only live 1-2 years (supposedly.)]