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Bringing A Pet Into the Blended Family

© Aaron Joseph Goebel

What happens to the pets when family's divorce? Many times they are placed in other homes or some end up in the animal shelter or worst. The ones that are fortunate enough to get to go along with the members of the family have adjustments to go through, especially in the case of a blended family. Take for instance our cat, Martha. She is 11 years old. We've had her since she was about 6 weeks old. When Mom left after the divorce, she moved into a rental place where no pets were allowed. My Dad kept her for a little while and then said she had to go. He never liked cats. Mom begged him to let her have some time to try and work on the landlord or find another place. She ended up finding another place and getting Martha to come live with us. Martha had to move after all those years into a totally new household. Then Mom remarried. Her new husband was allergic to cats. He took allergy shots in order for her to be able to keep Martha. He became attached to her, thank goodness. After just three shots he was able to tolerate Martha without further allergy shots (so far).

Then there is the instance where we used to have pet rats. Mom mentioned this fact to her new husband and he roared that there was no way he was ever going to allow a rodent in his house. February came and for Valentine's Day Mom opens up a box that looks like a Chinese food box and out comes a little white, red eyed rat. Maggie is still with us.

Then there is my step-mother, who brought her 12 year old half blind terrier mix with her when she married my Father. We were not allowed to call him 'dog'. He was to be addressed by his proper name -- Alex. He nipped when you petted him in the wrong spot, yelped when you accidentally stepped close to him where he was afraid to get stepped on, and Step-Mom would freak, thinking you'd hurt her precious little Alex. Yes, he was a prince. And how about Jasmine, the 150 pound great dane that Dad brought with HIM into the marriage? (GRIN) It's a good thing she was so good natured because Alex would have been doggie food in short order.

Yes, bringing pets into a new marriage and a blended family takes quite a bit of adjustment for the pet AND for the family. It can work, though, with enough patience, time, and if the house is big enough.

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