Pets do create more work. We, at one time, had three dogs and three cats - living indoors with us. We are down to one cat and one dog - both blind. Yes, there is a lot of work now. I think both have dementia to some degree. Will I miss them? Definitely yes. Sam (the dog) is 13 and Ralph (the cat) is 18. They are like my children, with the exception that they could never marry and leave the house. They are worth the work.

That's sweet :-) Wow, three of each, that must have been non-stop chaos (and cleaning!).

Our poor Lab was so sweet the last few years of her life, she had some dementia also and very bad arthritis. We'd let her out to use the bathroom and often she'd wander off and then forget why she was out there. (Or sit down in the far corner of the yard and we'd have to go carry her back)

But neither me or my husband would have traded the experience for anything. Our other dog and cat both lived much shorter lives, it would have been great to watch them all grow old together.

We also have pets (a cat, a parrot, assorted fish, which are my responsibility -- and I love them all. My sweet kitty is getting older and slower, but is still the easiest to care for; the bird is more than a bit messy, but what a joy; and the fish are easy on a day-to-day basis, although tank cleaning time is not all that fun. Still, I can't imagine life without them. And with a couple of young children, to boot...ahem...the pets are way easier, lol!

We had outdoor dogs and fish when I was a kid, but we could never have a cat because of my brother's allergies co I'm making up for it as an adult ;-)

I can't imagine keeping up with one kid (let alone two!). It seems like almost every couple on my "get rid of clutter" TV shows has kids, so of course they have tons of stuff everywhere. The people we bought our house from had three kids here, I can't imagine five people living in this house (gulp!).

No clutter here, believe it or not! The majority of the toys are in their respective rooms, and believe me, they have a LOT of toys. However, I'm a big believer in those colorful bins (some with drawers, some without) that really help contain all the various bits and pieces of their lives. Still, getting them to put everything back into the bins...well, at least the main living areas look very nice and orderly! Anyway, as far as those "get rid of clutter shows" are concerned, of course they need to find the worst cases possible. Now when they were babies and toddlers, and needed to be supervised at all times...THAT was when the living room had baskets of toys and various playthings about. At one time, we even had a toybox in there in the shape of a huge pink pig (no, I'm not joking).

(My daughter just woke up and delivered the parrot to me as I lay here in bed with my notebook; my lips, ears, and eyelids are being pecked as I type this! My son is already in bed with me, watching Yogi Bear.)

The people who owned this house before us had FOUR kids; now THAT is something I can't begin to imagine. I heard that the oldest one ended up migrating down to the basement, which was an ugly dungeon-like hell (with no bathroom or heating) when we moved in here. I guess it was better than being crammed into a bunkbed!

A big pink pig, that must have been a site! I love the mental picture of the family in bed - mom with her laptop being pecked by a parrot while the kids watch cartoons - what a way to wake up ;-) It sounds like you have everything pretty organized and under control, though. I used to work with a girl who had four little kids and she would have them hold onto each other when they were out shopping, etc., they'd all stay in order like little ducks where she could see them at all times.

When I worked on the floor at the department store I used to get to see first hand how quick little kids are - mom would stop and just look at a price tag for two seconds and there goes junior off towards the escalators. We had one four year old who made it all the way to the other end of the mall by hinself and when I found him and brought him back the parents yelled at the kid. (I wanted to yell at the parents)

But then I have never wanted that job, pets and husbands are enough for me to worry about :-)

Uh, PRETTY much under control sums it up; my son is an active little devil. Although they stay near me in stores, just GOING to stores with both of them in tow is sheer hell. No matter where we are -- a store, someone's house, home -- my son, who is a study in constant motion, has to poke, prod or otherwise annoy his sister...and then a fight inevitably ensues. He's also VERY loud -- like, even when he's presumably whispering. Just this past Friday, a knock-down, drag-out took place (in the house; I guess there actually are some things to be thankful for) that was not to be believed. Every method of street fighting was used. My daughter even threw in her version of Jackie Chan moves (she's a big fan of his). I actually wasn't as fast as I should have been to break it up; it was so entertaining to watch!

I sometimes think I should set up a ring in the basement and charge admission for a pint-size human version of cock-fighting, lol!!!