Defending Treating pets as children

[Catherine]

Quote:Well.....what do Tarantulas play with generally? I have no idea. A plastic wind-up fly who goes round in ever-decreasing circles springs to mind....
But of course there is no knowing. That may freak him out. Or there may be small parts that Tarantulas under the age of three shouldn't be allowed to play with....Big Grin

Tarantula toys, that's a good thought. His "toys" are more along the lines of a new fake stone cave, a few silk plant leaves and a plastic cactus shaped water dish. He filled it with dirt so I think he likes it. His old fake log water dish is too small. He is now using the cave so I think I have made him happy.
How do I know if my tarantula is happy? Not a clue. I watch and try to get some sense of what makes him more relaxed(?) I think it is a good sign when he eats and drinks and uses his whole tank. When he moves earth then he is setting up his own territory the way he likes it.

We do need new terms. How do you describe my relationship to Jake Krinkle Snake. He is not a baby, but he will always need a lot of personal care. Danny is my baby, no matter how big she gets. Earl will always be an old man and I respect him as such.

Our relationships with our pets are more complex than we thought. I don't own then. Only some are like children to me. Most are like friends. I would not know how to describe relating to a Hognose Snake. They are funny quirky little creatures. They hiss and huff and play dead, but when I pick one up it curls up in my hand(lap for the bigger ones). They really trust me. How do label a relationship like that?