Childhood Pets = Tribulations

Mon 6/18 Blog Prompt: As a child did you have any exotic (i.e. those not indigenous to your area) or unusual pets? If not, did you have any pets at all? What kind? Did you give them standard pet names or come up with unusual and unique names?

Actually I came up with this prompt after being reminded by someone (I can't recall who) about some of the unusual pets my younger sister and I had throughout our life. Recalling their names at this time is going to be a bit hard as I just don't remember any except the Persian Pan bought me when we first married. Her name was Mini-Mutes and was named after the program he was working on. Very appropriate too, as she never weighed more than 5 lbs., even as an adult. She hardly ever mewed and when she did it was very soft, almost a whisper.

Oh, I've gotten off subject haven't I. Unusual or exotic pets. Actually I have had both.

Back when I was about 6 (maybe 7) mom took ddpup and I shopping just before Easter. There in the store they had the cutest little chicks that were dyed in bright Easter egg colors. Naturally we begged for one and mom, being mom, said no. (I can so relate now). I guess after getting tired of hearing us whine, she said that dad wouldn't let us have one and called him. Dad said yes (I'm surprised she ever talked to him again). So home we go with two little chicks. One a bright blue and one a bright neon pink. I don't recall how long we had them, but it couldn't have been for to very long. We were living on a AF base in AF housing and I am sure that chicks were not deemed appropriate pets. So off to a farm they went.

Later when I was about 10 or 11 and we were staying with my grandmother, my uncle brought home a baby alligator. This was before it was illegal to own them. It was put in a huge wash tin outside and ddpup and I were responsible for feeding it. Being that it was so young this meant hand-feeding. I held its jaws open while ddpup shoved the meat down its throat. At the time, I thought I was in the safe position; but now that I think on it, both jobs were probably not to safe. Even baby alligators have a bit of a bite.

While not unusual or exotic we did have a rabbit while growing up. Cute little thing that would hop up to the fridge to look in when it was opened. It also really liked to help out dad when he was working under the car. I don't think dad appreciated it though.

Most of my other pets growing up were parakeets, cats, dogs, a squirrel here or there, fish, gerbils and so on. You know, typical childhood pets.