“You know, I live in a menagerie,” our friend said.
I looked around the living room and laughed.
“I can see that.”
The veterinarian in the family snickered, too. “How many animals do you think we have?”
I could see a snake, two chicks, two dogs, and I knew two mules lived outside.
Oh, wait, was that maa-ing I heard from outside? I thought I saw some goats.
“15,” the vet said. “Let’s see if you can find them all.”
“See?” the spouse said. “I live in a menagerie.”
To live in a menagerie = fun.
Children also lived in the house, and they helped with the animals.
Indeed, the three goats loved the beautiful tween girl and followed her wherever she went.
(Her name was not Mary).
The boy played with the dogs, called out to the mules, and ran harrum scarrum himself.
He was particularly good at collecting greens to feed to the kangaroo hamster and the snake–who, it turned out, just liked to watch the chicks, not eat them himself.
Those chicks! They did live in a menagerie–or at least in a glass aquarium beside the snake’s aquarium.
“He didn’t want to eat the chicks,” explained one family member. “He just likes to watch them. So, they’re entertainment.”
It would never occur to me to 1 buy a snake or 2 own chicks.
“We’ll probably give the chicks to a friend who owns a flock,” the tween explained.
“Chickens are complicated to own up here in the winter,” her mother said. “You have to keep the hen house warm. It’s easier to buy eggs from her and not have to worry about having chickens.”
Did I find all 15 pets?
No.
I figured cats must be around, but I never saw any. (Until I looked at the photo above!)
The total number of kangaroo hamsters–I think they were hamsters–equaled two. They preferred to stay hidden.
The skink lived in a cage next to them. He didn’t come out often, either.
But the three goats! Oh my, charming!
The tween may live in a menagerie, but she negotiated the pets, like her veterinarian parent, with skill and grace.
I wish I’d snapped a photo of her wandering the meadow with the three goats in tow, calling and trotting everywhere she went.
The charming goats, only a few months old, loved to graze outside of their pen.
They even joined us for a marshmallow roast–calling, butting in, and trying to get at the marshmallows.
I tried to save the day.
They trimmed back the trees–even climbing on the picnic table to reach some lower leaves!
The mules–who are pack animals when the family hits the trail–kept the grass cropped close. They also ate leftovers from the garden.
Goats do that, too.
Kids and pets
The veterinarian grew up with a much smaller menagerie.
But always had a way with animals.
The children in this household care for their animals and play with them. They spend a lot of time outside in the summer.
And when the night grows long and dark, there’s always someone to cuddle up with and simply be loved.
Maybe even with a lick on your cheek?
(I’d avoid this with chicks, goats, and snakes. But a dog? Always!)
(Or, maybe even a comfort cat?)
Is there an advantage for a kid to live in a menagerie?
While it can take a special person to live in a menagerie, there’s something comforting about watching animals grow up.
It seemed like those chicks doubled in size during the three days we visited!
The children, though, learned to be gentle and patient. They did chores without complaint.
I was impressed.
And the veterinarian’s spouse?
A headshake, a laugh, and a proud look at the helpful kids.
I never touched the snake, chicks, hamsters, or skink, but I’m glad I got to observe.
Even if the goats did get a little too close to the marshmallows!
(Total number of animals spotted: 14. I wonder who was hiding?)
Tweetables
What does it take to live in a menagerie? Click to Tweet
The value of raising kids with many pets. Click to Tweet
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