Your Animal Is Not Your Child

You did not birth it.  You did not carry around your furry bundle of joy for 9 1/2 + months.  You do not have to send your animal to college.  You can leave your animal at home, you don't have to take it with you everywhere you go.  Your animal does not require a car seat, and it will probably not embarrass you in the supermarket because it can't have a candy bar.  You do not have to choose the best preschool or schools for your animal, and if you do, well I suppose you are a good animal "parent."  I won't say it is ridiculous because everyone is entitled to do whatever it is they want to do, as long as it doesn't hurt other people.  In this case, it is actually helping your animal, so it is a net gain.  The problem, though, is when these same people look down on other people for having the balls to actually procreate and have something they cannot completely control.  They say things like, "Sometimes I think my animal is smarter than other people," exposing their deep-rooted hatred of people in general.  That is what I have the problem with.  It's this holier-than-thou mentality, when, really, is having a pet like having a child?  You have to feed them, walk them, give them their shots, and keep them groomed.  I know there are "whiny" pets and pets that will annoy you with all the time they require, but guess what.  The average lifespan of a dog is 20 years.  In some ways, yes, having a pet is "like" having a child, but don't for one second think that it requires the same amount of effort.
I think that people who replace children with pets crave a certain level of control over their lives.  It is this fear to create that keeps them from knowing one of the scariest, and most rewarding, parts of life.  Can your dog carry on your name after you?  Will your cat give you grandkids?  I suppose, if you're really morbid and see things that way!

I have to say that I have no problem with people having pets.  Having a pet is usually a very healthy thing.  What I am speaking out against is people replacing people with animals in their lives because they hate other humans.  I am also speaking out against these people looking down on people with small children as if they are somehow better because they have a pekingese.  So, you spent $2,000 to get a dog.  Do you know how many animals are dying in animal shelters?  It is all about living an ego-centric life.  Everything revolves around you and your "style."  You think this type of dog perfectly complements your lifestyle, blah blah blah.  Let's expand this way of living to the entire world - oh crap.  In one generation humanity is lost and the earth is overpopulated by dogs.

The end.

Impatient!

I want everything to happen now.  I am like a seed, I feel all the potential, the energy, I know I have what it takes, but it is taken too long.  I am in school now and I will have to be for another 2 years just to get my Bachelor's degree!  Bloody hell.  I have to remind myself that the seeds I am planting now will bear fruit in the future if I am faithful, I just have to take the first step.  I feel like I wish life was like Jack in the Beanstalk, where Jack plants the seed and then BOOM!  A huge, strong plant just shoots up into the clouds and escorts any willing to climb into a magical fairytale land... Aah, but I am getting away with myself.

I was recently reminded of my desire to be a published author and think that I should pursue that.  Part of me just wants to pursue everything that I ever wanted but have never done, and I know that through all of this that I will find my path.  I don't have to have an end goal right now, I don't want to cage myself into something prematurely, especially if I don't have very strong feelings about any one thing.  I will just take it one step at a time, experiencing everything I can along the way, meeting people and forming relationships that are in tune with my desires and the way I am feeling so that I may find my destiny.