Well, I read the dog thread and the cat thread, and I have come to a conclusion.

Danny, you are not an animal person. That's not a flame, just an observation. That's just the way it is. It shows in every post. No, I can't explain it to you, but every animal lover can see it plain as day.

The happiest course for you, your kids, and any pets you might adopt, is..

Don't do it. Accept the fact that you and animals don't mix, and find other things to fill your life.

Once your children are older, one of them might become an animal person - time will tell. But not now - not until they are old enough to do it on their own.

Again, this is not meant to be a flame or an attack, nor even "bashing" . (Stupid word!) It's just an observation, pointed out in an attempt to save you, your kids, and some poor animal from painful experiments. I admire your persistence, but it's time to face reality.

<font color="red"> "Now I realize I should have taken that advice and not gotten the cats." </font color>