Before, Now, Forever: Stamp of the month

Children's Pets 2011

Young children need a hobby or pastime. Not only will an interesting hobby keep children entertained, but many hobbies provide an educational experience as well. In this day and age of video games and computers, parents should encourage their children to spend time with other educational and challenging interests that can also build positive morale and outlook. Some hobbies that begin when a person is young may even develop into a lifelong interest such as keeping a pet.

Pets are domestic or tamed animals kept for companionship or merely for the beauty of the animals. Having pets at home is one of the most common hobbies that people all over the world share. Children raised with pets show many benefits. It is also a recommended hobby for children as it teaches them responsibility and how to care for animals and also help children develop their social skill.

While dogs and cats are the most popular household pets all over the world due to their loyal or playful characteristics and attractive appearance, other popular pets include rabbits, hamsters and fish. Today even pets like spiders, pythons and other exotic animals are also becoming widely known amongst animal enthusiasts.

While all kinds of pets can bring cheer and joy to children, it is important to choose a pet that is right for your family, your home and your lifestyle; and one that your child can care for. A goldfish in an aquarium will be ideal for even the smallest of spaces. However, for have a big dog, you will need a lot of space. Also be prepared for a long term commitment of caring for pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits, that can live up to ten years. Pet keeping not only involves caring for the animal but also includes the costs of feeding and medical bills that may be unavoidable to ensure that the pets are in the best of health. Pets can serve different purposes for children and can be one of the most rewarding of all hobbies. On the other hand, the most common reasons for not owning a pet are the lack of time, lack of suitable housing and lack of ability to care for the pet when travelling. Therefore proper planning is necessary to help make pet ownership a positive experience for everyone and create fond memories that last a lifetime.

Cats

Aloof as they may seem, cats are actually playful but well-manner creatures. Cats like to be pampered by humans. Cats show their affection for their owners not only through purring, but also by pawing your arms, legs or elsewhere on your body.

Cats are also avid spectators. They love to see what is going on around them. They do these by jumping to high places like the sofa, cabinet or table to keep a watchful eye on you and what you're doing.

Rabbits

Rabbits have always been popular as pets, especially among children. They never fail to amuse the little ones with their cute and cuddly looks and behavior. However, animals such as rabbits that are kept in cages require a little more attention. Since they are kept in enclosures, it would be more considerate if they are allowed room to move freely. Rabbits should never be kept in small enclosures for a long period of time. Their enclosure should be big enough so that they can easily hop and run about and hide when it wants to. Animals kept at home should be provided with a sense of being in their natural habitat. This way, they feel free and they live happily.

Another important aspect is that rabbits are physically too delicate to be handled roughly. Rabbits take some time to get used to their new surroundings and new companions. When these creatures feel frightened, they become defensive and exhibit behaviour of biting, scratching or running away. Therefore, it is important to help children understand how to care for rabbits and understand its needs and requirements.

Rabbits are also prone to a few diseases that are hard to treat. although rabbits require less grooming than dogs and cats, proper diet and hygiene of their feeding and bedding area will ensure a healthy and happy rabbit.

Dogs

Dogs are known as man's best friend due to their loyalty to their owner. Dogs are lovable, fun and playful. They love all outdoor exercises especially playing "fetch". There are a wide variety of breeds with different advantages and disadvantages. However the correct breed or dog depends on the kind of space available in owner's home.

The smaller breed is ideal if kept in a small apartment or house.