SallyJo, a 14-year-old girl, and SaraJane, her mother, went to their local animal shelter to adopt a dog or cat that needed a home.

 

SaraJane wanted to bring a puppy home from the shelter, while SallyJo's heart was set on a kitten.

 

SaraJane and SallyJo made their way through the rows of cages that were filled with noisy animals who were yearning for their own home. Every dog barked loudly, wagged a friendly tail and looked at SallyJo and SaraJane with pleading, longing eyes. With their intense meows and frisky attitudes, all of the cats seemed to be demanding, "Pick me! Pick me!"

 

SaraJane selected a Golden Retriever named "Nugget." SallyJo chose a Ragdoll Cat named "Rags" to be her pet.

 

Although SallyJo and SaraJane both loved animals, neither realized the level of responsibility that would be required of them as pet owners. They didn't realize the amount of time that would be necessary to provide the care that the animals needed.

 

SallyJo and SaraJane both tried to care for their new pets, but since neither of them had previously owned pets, they didn't think about the numerous feeding times, required trips outside for bathroom breaks, grooming, playing with their pets, etc.

 

SallyJo attended school all day and, after she arrived home from school, she was ready to do her homework and crash in front of the TV.

 

SaraJane worked for a large corporation as an administrative assistant, a highly stressful job. After work, she drove home and prepared supper. The family ate the evening meal together, watched a couple of television shows and started getting ready for bed.

 

SaraJane and SallyJo had agreed to share the pet care responsibilities, but neither was doing a good job. Almost daily, mother and daughter argued about whose turn it was to feed the animals and take them outside.

 

Like clockwork, SaraJane would say, "I fed the pets yesterday. Today, it's your turn."

 

"I'm sure it's your turn," SallyJo would reply.

 

SammyJack, SallyJo's dad and SaraJane's husband, would interject his thoughts. "Both of you need to grow up, stop arguing and begin acting like adults," he said.

 

"I thought we would have some peace and quiet when we left the animal shelter," Nugget told Rags.

 

"Yeah, I know what you mean," meowed Rags. "Ever since we got here, all they've done is fight like cats and dogs!"