We’ve indulged in a little holiday fantasy this week—we’ve suggested that expense is not an issue!
What pet would you have if expense were not an issue? We asked friends from around the world . . .
They responded!
Nichola Walker (Northern Ireland) A trio of capybaras. I mean, 100-pound semi-aquatic guinea pigs—what’s not to like? They’re my favorite animal, after sharks. Supposed to be quite nice pets, too, once they trust you. Obviously still wild prey animals, though, and therefore never going to be lap pets. Although for really crazy—an Olympic-sized shark pool, preferably with at least a nurse shark in it. They can feasibly be kept; it’s the size of the pool needed that’s the issue.
Dave Koch (Washington) A couple of elephants. Because they are smart, otherwise endangered, and can bond to humans much like a dog.
Denise Gregg (New York) If I had the time, money, resources, and land, I’d own an elephant or two. They can be taught so many things. To be able to play and hang around splashing water in a huge pond would be fun. Just to be around a great creature like this would be amazing.
Kat Camplin (California) A herd of elephants.
Donna Furneaux (Ontario) A dolphin. They seem to be very intelligent and fun-loving. I would not keep it captive, just have a home near where dolphins come all the time.
Stacy Braslau-Schneck (California) Dolphins and sea lions. With a sea pen to keep them safe in, and a boat and tug-motor to go out to sea with them.
Alicea Howell (Michigan) Okay, so if money and ethics were not an issue . . . sea turtles.
Laura Foster (United Kingdom) Tropical pond with rescue red-tailed catfish.
Ingrid Bock (New York) Oh, my. Horses and gorillas. A girl can dream.
Sarah Langevin-Gasper (Florida) My family had licensing (state and federal) for bears when I was a kid. I’d love to have a large cat (panther or up), but it’s seriously expensive to take care of them.
Debi Davis (Nevada) Zebra!
Marcy Britt (Washington) Ah, geez. There are so many. Another goat would be fun. Or another horse. I won’t mention the wild creatures I’d like to have as pets.
Valerie Waley (Washington) Rescued iguanas. Keeping them till I find sanctuaries to send them to.
Melissa Cara (Massachusetts) Definitely a pig. I don’t have the right set-up for one now, but if I could afford to remodel a bit, I’d adopt a pig immediately!
Jett Wyatt (Oregon) I’d kind of like a donkey to go with my two dwarf goats. Maybe an older big, comfy horse because I haven’t ridden in 30 years and couldn’t handle the kind of horse I wanted back then! I wouldn’t want to keep anything exotic because I don’t think they should be “pets,” but I wouldn’t mind rescuing one of the big cats!
Pamela Gunderson (Washington) Cheetahs. Money no object? Several cheetahs, with everything necessary to make sure that they never disappear from the planet. In the 1950s, I wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian. I specifically wanted to be a zoo vet, specializing in the big cats. I wanted to make sure all the big cats of the world would never disappear. Making a single choice is hard. I like all animals much better than most people. Animals never lie, even if you are dinner.
Summer Storm Kingery DVM (North Carolina) An eagle owl. Would need lots of time and money to do so. My actual favorite exotic pet was a skunk.
Photo by Darcey Byrne
Sheila Gomez (Washington) Friesian horses. Large black, chestnut, or white horses, with long manes and tails. About 15 to 17 hands high. Strong shoulders, shorter leg. High-stepping prance. Another [animal I’d like to have] is a cheetah. Wolves are my favorite, but many have them already.
Kim Rinehardt (California) A horse. But I simply can’t afford the upkeep right now.
Amy Suggars (Ohio) I would have a horse. All my life, I always wanted a horse. I was typically obsessed as a kid. When I was around ten years old, my family and our neighbor played a (what I now feel was a cruel) joke on me. My neighbor’s horse was pregnant and they promised me I could have one of the foals if she had twins. During the whole gestation, they made comments like “Look how big Twinkles is! I’ll bet there two in there!” I had no idea how rare it was for a horse to have twins. I was very disappointed when she didn’t have twins, but I’ve never lost my desire for a horse of my own!!
Ann Dupuis (Massachusetts) An Arabian. I had one two years ago . . . now I have a big old lame Canadian warmblood I bought for a buck as a rehab project. Great teacher, but I miss the Arabians!
Annie Zeck (Washington) A horse, of course!
Trish Ryan (New Jersey) A horse . . . actually, my horse who is living a wonderful life at the stable where I kept her. I moved two hours away and couldn’t afford to board her. The stable owner/trainer loves her and takes amazing care of her. I do see her, not often enough, but I know she’s loving life and I couldn’t have asked for a better home for her . . . okay, tears.
Sarah Adams (Oregon) A horse. And if it was going to be my dream horse, it would be a paint draft cross. I don’t think I could actually ride the horse—I don’t think my back would take it—so it would just have to look good in a field. Also, a mini cow.
Kim Campbell (British Columbia) A horse.
Darcey Byrne (Washington) Horses, followed by more horses, lots of chickens, and about three dogs. I forgot: some birds of prey.
Ann Marie Danimus (Washington) A horse.
Lacey Olson (Washington) Definitely horses.
Sherry Al-Mufti (California) I would have a mini horse—not one of the ones that look like little Shetland ponies, but the ones that look like perfect scale models of full-size horses. If I had one, I would train it to do all kinds of things, from pulling carts to fun tricks, including tricks with dogs.
Susan Ewing (New York) Gotta join the chorus for a horse. Don’t have the space or the money, but if I did, that’s what I’d get.
Monique Feyrecilde (Washington) Well, if time counts as an expense—my existing pets with way more space and a more ideal set-up. And a horse.
Marie Hammerling (Florida) More rescue dogs and cats.
Donna Weidert (Washington) I would have another border collie. It’s not that they are any more expensive than any other dog, really—but they need lots to do (think classes, agility, etc.) and I just don’t have the physical stamina and energy any more.
LJ Roberts (California) More cats.
Victoria Day (Washington) Two kittens.
Erika Deasy (Washington) I’m afraid that it is nothing exotic that I would keep, but it’s going to be dogs. I would adopt senior dogs to keep them from living out their twilight years in shelters. Nothing is as heartbreaking as seeing some sad old-man dog in a shelter who doesn’t get up to greet you, but rather looks up with sad, tired eyes. The “all expenses paid” would assure that they received necessary veterinary care for their age and health. Not only do I want the senior dogs to have love, touch, and anything else their hearts desire, I want them to struggle and suffer as little as possible as they age.
Rebecca Cook (Washington) It was already said of dogs, but I always dreamed of having a cat sanctuary. Now, I’d probably have a special focus on feral cats and senior cats. Or maybe FIV cats. I’d just have a giant sanctuary where all the cats that need a home with special care would have all they need. Currently, my one feral rescue is still draining my bank account, so please make this happen quickly!
What pet would you have if expense were not an issue?
