My phobia for animals and even the smallest and most harmless pets started since young. I remembered when I was a kid, there were many stray cats and dogs in my housing estate. My mum was afraid that I might get hurt by them and told me to stay away from them in case I got attacked by them or disease from them. Each time, I saw my mum keeping away from dogs, an impression formed in my mind that I should stay away from them.

As a mum now, I have not felt any easier around pets. As my kids and I hang out more at farms, animal enclosures, zoo and pet shops, my boys’ passion for these animals have also grown.  Recently, I have shared about the hamsters and terrapins that we have purchased for the boys. These few days, Brendan has been pestering me to get him a puppy! So here we are busy frequenting pet shops and learning more about how to keep a dog as a long term companion. I was greatly inspired by my boys when I saw them carry and caress the dogs without any fear. Did I stop them? No, I didn’t. Guess what? Just a few days of contacts with these cute puppies and I have finally concurred my fear of them biting or hurting the kids and me <chuckle>. In fact, they are so adorable, soft and warm. I did not believe it too when I started reaching out and now even stroking them! I must thank my boys for helping mummy garner this courage or mummy will never be able to break out of this shell (of fear for pet dogs). Thank you boys:)

So while we ponder whether to get a Maltese, a Toy Poodle, a Shih Tzu, or a Cavalier King Charles, we are saddened that one of our terrapins passed away today <MOANING>. Brendan was very upset and was sobbing badly. I realized that keeping a pet is not like keeping a toy because my boy has developed a strong feeling for them. Hence, we started hesitating whether it is a suitable time to buy the dog for our boys now for the following reasons:

· I do not want my boys to be emotionally affected should anything happens to their pets

· Keeping pet dog require a long-term and sincere commitment and I am not sure if my boys are ready for this responsibility

· It is quite a handful for me now to manage two energetic boys and I am not sure if I could manage another playful son/daughter “our pet dog”

· Training a dog requires much time and patience

· My boys have to maintain the mindset that the pet dog will be treated like their sister or brother and not “a moment of interest”

· My home is starting to be like a pet house now, with fish, terrapins and hamsters and even the two-storey home may be a little overcrowded for more pet companions

Hence, I guess I will need more time to consider before adding a pet dog for the boys … However, I must say these puppies are really really lovely!