What animals make the best/worst pets? – The Daily Writing prompt in my opinion asks the wrong question today. There are few bad pets. There are bad combinations of pet owners and pets.

Also, let’s look at the definition of a pet. A caged lion or bear or other wild creature is not a pet. It’s a caged beast.

What is the best match for a pet owner and pet? If you only have time to sprinkle some fish food in a tank before you run out the door and adjust the water, getting a dog that needs a ton of interaction could make for the worst pet if you didn’t think before you got that combination.

Maybe bringing home the pet python to a home with small pets and children might not be the best idea. Just like getting 3 kittens with a home of pristine trinkets, expensive carpets, and fine draperies.

My personal favorite is cats. We are alike, sometimes I need my space and sometimes they need theirs. I don’t have to walk them on cold, rainy, nights. Not that I don’t love dogs, I do, all my best friends have them and my son has two. No problem, with dogs as long as they aren’t mine. They need too much love and I’d feel guilty if I wasn’t loving them almost every waking hour.

When my son’s dogs are here for a few days, they are the least productive times of the year. We give the dogs attention all day, they sleep with my wife, and I’d have to stand to have a space. So I get kicked out of my bed.

We have fallen in love with the pets we have had. Several years ago our last one passed and the experiences of that and the ones before have gotten too painful for my better half to get another one.

Worst pet – We had a Guinea Pig once. That was my worst pet experience. Once the kids got wind of the pellets it ate coming out and stinking up the basement their affection lessoned.

Best pet – The 4 cats I’ve had in my life. And any combination where the love is mutual.