Five Pets

The whole time that I was pregnant, I was certain that I'd love my pets just as much as ever once the baby was born. I'd love both dogs and all three cats not quite as much as the baby but certainly nearly as much. I judged people who got rid of their pets after a baby. They were heartless assholes. Now that the baby is here, I understand the impulse. I believe pets are a lifetime commitment so I will never get rid of mine. I will continue to feed, shelter, and mindlessly pet them. At the same time, they are so annoying. My pet love was quickly replaced by frustration at their constant whining and unending needs. I once thought they were cute and clever when they demanded constant love and bathroom breaks. Now all I hear is loud dog nails on the hardwood floor as the baby drifts off to sleep. All I see is a film of cat fur covering our whole house and sticking to my daughter's sweet face. In the words of my usually quiet husband, "Maybe we shouldn't have tried to fill the hole in our heart with so many damn animals."