You know what I don't get?

[Chinchi]

What do you mean that it's too late for you to be different?

But I can tell you that you are not as responsible as you think you are, if you are not ready to wait for the perfect pet, and need to get it right now...

[mulder]

hun *hugs*, just keep your hopes up. keep going strong and keep loving and spoiling your current pets. just because it wont happen now doesnt mean it wont happen in a few months or a year, be patient

[laydeerodentzz]

Ok, I just wanna say to Chinchi, about the hedgie, that I was younger and didnt know much about hedgies, so please dont get angry.

I also wanna add that I part agree with you Chinchi, but part not. I do think that in a way getting these mice will be good for Oboe because he will get to have his own animals and pets, under his care, which will teach him something and I'm pretty sure he will get attatched to the mice and certainly care for them proper. By having the mice he will be able make up his mind to wether or not he does want to move to the next stage and have rats or not.

Anyway...
Oboe! I'm so happy you've convinced your mum! Now you just have to convince your dad! It was my dad I had to convince, my mum didn't mind lol- the tears did it hehe-
Well, I think that you will take great care of them if you get them because it's been so hard to get them I think that you will respect the fact you have them and be a wonderful mice daddy lol! well, keep those who are interested updated and i'm sure you'll get your mice soon!
Things will, however, be changing in your life like Chinchi said, but don't let it set you back, just start with two so you don't have to worry as much if you had more.
Good Luck!!!
xx

[Chinchi]

The hedgie part was only to point out to other people not to give them milk... Sorry I didn't make that clear

I just don't get why she would want mice when she already has a dog and a cat... That should be more than enough for a 14 year old...

If we were just talking mice, I would totally get the point of this threat... but Oboe's already got two other animals...

I don't know about you guys, but I would think you would get more than enough responsibility out of taking care of two such animals...
I'm glad I didn't have a dog and a cat I had to take care of when I was that age anyway.

And it's not like I'm saing that Oboe will loose intrest. But it CAN happen, and it happens way too often. I were one of those it didn't happen too, I bet many of you guys in here never lost interest, but let's look at it this way:

I never lost interest, and my cousins son never lost interest in animals. But my cousins doughter, one of my cousins, my niece, some friends of the familys daughter and one of my BF's friends kids all lost interest in their animals.
In my family, we like animals, but all these kids had something else to doo when they were (some of the are now) teenagers, so they gave their animals away. And I've know a lot of other kids than this, that just lost interest... I also know kids who never lost interest, and still have their animals, but not quite as many as I know that dosen't have animals at the moment...
And I'm studing too become a zoologist... so it's not like I talk with a lot of people that dosen't like animals

[laydeerodentzz]

aha, I taotally understand where you are coming from now! WOW a zoologist, sounds like the typer job i'd like! Well, I'm glad you didn't take me to seriously about the hedgie thing, thanks for explaining, silly me lol. Well, I know that she should be happy with what she already has, I mean, I would love to have a dog or/and cat! But i'm happy with my 4 rats and lovely little hammy!
I do think that her having mice would be kinda a good thing though still, I cnt explain, I mean, I think that because she wants it so bad she will look after them proper ya know?

[Oboe]

and, for clarification to anyone who doesn't get this, if I have to wait a couple of years or so, that's fine with me. It bothers me a LITTLE bit, but not enough to make a fuss about for 2 years.

[Chinchi]

Laydeer:
I know what you mean
I've just seen SO many kids that wanted an animal so, so bad, and a couple of years later, they didn't want it anyway.
And it wasen't because they were/are stupid kids, it's because they became teenagers, and had othet things to do with their lives

[Vanilla_Rat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chinchi But I can tell you that you are not as responsible as you think you are, if you are not ready to wait for the perfect pet, and need to get it right now...

How can you tell she is not responsible?
You don't know her in person,neither do I...this is why I don't judge.I will offer advice.She seems responsible to me,as she sent me a PM and asked me ALOT of questions.That shows me she is responsible,as she is learning about the pets she wants before jumping in and getting them.

I got my first pair of mice when I was 12-13.One turned out to be pregnant (it was pregnant when I got her) and I ended up with 9 mice.However I took care of them myself.I did the cleaning,feeding,playing with...etc! I was a teenager.We also had a dog and cat and fish,newts,turtles...etc.I still had time to go out and hang with my friends and date boys and all that.I also did not neglect the mice and to this day,I still have pet mice!

Pia,I understand what your trying to say...but don't be quick to judge.This person is reading up and researching about mice.She didn't run out and get them either...she just wanted to know how to get her parents to agree.

She might have to wait another few yrs.But just because she is a tennager,does not mean she cannot have pets to love and care for.Now if she was 8 yrs old,that would be a different story! My 3 yr old is growing up with animals and has her own betta (I take most care of it obviously...but she feeds him and whatnot).I will not let her have a hamster or anything until she is able to be fully responsible for it.But come on,the OP really wants mice and like I said,seems responsible to me.

[mulder]

*sigh* i agree with vanrat on this one. not to gang up on you, pia, but you're being judgemental and unfair. oboe isn't a "stupid kid". kids are kids, they're all the same, they go through phases, fads, trends, its a part of life. she is researching and trying to get help which is good and i don't want to deter her efforts. she deserves to be heard out

[Sushi-Sempai]

Not to be a downer but in all seriousness, if you are worried that she will lose interest in a couple of years, perfect, let her get mice, they only live a couple of years!!! Rats live longer so the switch to mice is probably good. In answer to the original question, sure go for mice, explain to your mom that hamsters are more likely to be mean especially from a pet store. But I would only recommend getting two mice( girls from the same litter, preferably, to insure they will definitely get along with no problems) because getting more than that would defeat the purpose of getting smaller animals to save space and money. Despite their size consider them the same amount of responsibility as a cat each and then think about how many you want.

Also I agree with chinchi that you will be going through a lot of changes in the next few years. When I was your age I wanted snakes. My dad was totally opposed, my mom LOVED the idea. Of course my mom had snakes, horses, cats dogs and mice when she was younger (at different points).

I did a LOT of research, you should do the same, internet, library all of it. Then present it to them. When I did that, as well as adding up the cost of all the supplies for getting started AND monthly expenses (guessed at them) my dad gave me the money to get started. See how that works? Maybe that will work for you maybe not, but at least he would know that you knew exactly what you were getting in too, and so would chinchi lol!

[laydeerodentzz]

I did all my research when I was going to get rats. Now I know more than ever and if I were honest I get tired of going through rat sites when there are non that I have not been on lol. I convinced my parents when I started reeling of all these amazing facts and health care tips to them and going to pets at home and saying to the people who were are talking to the costomers..."yes, both genders make great pets, but females are prone to tumours"
And the people who worked at the pet shop didn't even know that!
well, I wish the best f luck to you oboe!

[Chinchi]

I'm not quick to judge.
Fact is, that people who can't waite a while to get some things, often isen't that responsible...
And when you begin to talk about how responsible you are, somethins is wrong too...

[Vanilla_Rat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chinchi And when you begin to talk about how responsible you are, somethins is wrong too...

I have to disagree again,not to start any arguments...but because I KNOW I am a responsible person,but because I know this...that must mean I am not responsible,cause I admit it???

I don't see how that makes sense.I just wonder how it makes sense.So that means you don't call yourself responsible either then.

Help me understand what you mean,if it is not this.

[Skratikans]

I think a topic about getting pets is best discussed with the parents at an age where you live in your parents' house and abide by their rules..your dad may never become open minded and that is just something you will need to try to talk to him about..but dont start an argument..maybe explain how much it would mean to you to have a pet..and if you two can come to a conclusion..but if you cant then you have to respect that

[clairebee1]

Well i am 17 yes i am a teenager i have had animals ALL my life and yeah i have went through things like.. Mum i want this pet and this and that yeah i knew i wanted to go out with mates and that so i waited untill i was about 16 and decided i would have the time and money and also if she was irresponsible she would not of bothered to look anything up , instead she did the reason why i am commenting on this is because i have alot of bad things said to me about my age and the animals i have and want and i get alot of sly comments just because i am a teenager and wanting PETS she is being very grown up by asking people for advice and also asking her parents permission so i have to say yeah teenagers can be irresponsible but every teenager aint like that.
Keep up with the good work Oboe your doing the right thing researching