Cats, dogs, birds, become part of the family and you mourn them like you would a best friend or one of your kids when they die.
I hate to say it, but my wife and I have agreed to never get another pet, they're just more fucking trouble then they're worth. I'm also reaching retirement age, and plan to travel, and I don't want to worry about leaving a pet behind when i'm gone for 2 weeks.
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