In a message dated 3/28/00 1:51:35 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< I, personally, prefer all animals...I
currently have 24 gerbils, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 1 turtle, and 1 fish :o).
>>
I have to agree, I have 28 gerbils, 1 dog, 1 bird and 1 turtle. But I think
people are more favorable toward dogs because they're a constant member of
the family. Many older widows have little fluffy dogs they take to the
groomers and buy things for..it's hard to take your gerbil to get a poodle
cut and show it off to the neighbors. A gerbil doesn't watch the house while
your gone. You can't take a gerbil swimming or play fetch. Never seen a
seeing eye gerbil, or a gerbil with finding convicts on the run. Gerbils are
pretty limited to caged animals, which can be good for a lot of people. But
many want the constant companion and the welcome home of a dog. Don't think
I'm putting down gerbils..gerbils can do amazing things and all have their
own personality and make wonderful pets..that's why I love em...but most
people have experience with dogs from their friends and relatives having
them. And many don't know how to repsond to a rodent..many of my friends are
scared to hold them because of their teeth or that they'll squish, drop or
let them loose, or the gerbil will pee or poop on them. And the ones that
will hold them rush to wash their hands because of an underlying fear that
they carry disease (even though they won't admit it). My grandma doesn't
like certain colors of gerbils because it looks like a mouse. And since she
was brought up on a farm...mice are bad. It took forever for her to even
touch one. But I think that's my ideas on why dogs are more popular...hope I
didn't ramble on too much for ya.
Angie
The Gerbil Guide
http://members.aol.com/angh2715/index.htm
Adorable ~N~ Gentle Gerbils
The Ang Clan
AGS Member
