Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not a fan of pets.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, we’ve got two dogs and a cat. I bought all three. Baby animals are so cute and I’m a sucker for sob stories surrounding rescue pets. My empathetic and nurturing side make me want to save them all. My aversion to clutter and messes makes it difficult to embrace the want to continue pet ownership, however.

In response to today’s daily prompt, the only good thing about having a pet would be the companionship.

Another living thing to share a space with. A companion that you can talk at but not with. One you have to feed and who won’t help with the preparation or clean up. One that you have to train to be respectful, but know they are at heart, wild by nature with a potential to one day snap. You will need to be prepared for the occasional destructive outburst and deal with the fallout, regardless of financial impact. A companion whose bodily functions and excrement you are responsible for. A companion that sheds relentlessly. You are required to pay for veterinarian bills and regular immunizations. If your companion has medical issues, you will be required to monitor and administer medication, for the rest of their life.

Yeah, they’re cute, but I’d rather have a houseplant.