Unusual Pets We've Kept: A Journey Through Quirky Companions

The journey of owning pets is a complex web of love, care, and sometimes, a pinch of adventure. From a playful monkey that made a crowd, to a baby porcupine that reminded us of responsibility, here's a look at some of the unusual pets we've had in our lives.

Monkey: A Smart and Social Visitor

When I was younger, my family had a pet monkey that was given to us by an employee from my father's office. I was fascinated by its intelligence, curiosity, and restlessness. The monkey was playful and we had countless hours of entertainment. On one particular occasion, the monkey was with us in the market, and our driver carried it over his shoulder. It attracted a lot of attention, bringing a crowd along with it. However, it wasn't easy to handle, and it was eventually given away after a year or two.

Baby Porcupines: An Unexpected Rescue

Once, my friends and I were camping in the woods and found two baby porcupines. Their mother had been killed, and so we decided to take them home to raise and eventually release them back into the same woods. From then on, they would visit us every time we went camping, showing us how to take care of them until they could fend for themselves on their own.

Piggy: A Votive Offering to Freyr

I once owned a 1200-pound pig, which was kept as a votive animal for the deity Freyr. He suffered from osteomyelitis of the jaw and stayed with me for twelve years. Although he was not a pet in the traditional sense nor was he intended for dining, I cherished his presence.

Iguanas and Tarantulas: More Than Just Reptiles

I've had various exotic pets over the years, including two rescued iguanas named Mona and Iggy, who could grow up to five feet long. I also had a Chilean tarantula named Rosie. Additionally, I've owned dogs, cats, and turtles, adding diversity to my pet collection.

A Squirrel That Played Like a Kid

Squirrels are more common pets, but this one was unique. My partner discovered the squirrel on a low wall, which she had fallen from her nest. We fed her cat formula, and she grew into a clever squirrel who figured out the cat flap. She got along well with our cat and loved to play 'chase.' She was affectionate, sleeping between us and doing gymnastics on the clothes-horse. We missed her when she played outside all day but came back at night to be with us.

Baby Lab Rat: An Unusual Classroom Pet

Back in college, my son was required to raise a baby lab rat named Ralph as part of a psychology class experiment. He had to carry him in his pocket, feed him, and play with him. Due to my status as an educator, I was able to adopt Ralph. He turned out to be the best classroom pet ever! My first-grade class loved him because he was gentle, curious, and loving. We taught him tricks and allowed him to roll in his ball for exercise daily. He became a source of joy and learning for my students.

Conclusion

These unusual pets brought laughter, joy, and a bit of responsibility to our lives. Each experience taught us something valuable about caring for others and the complexity of the animal world. Whether it's a playful monkey, a baby porcupine, a votive pig, an iguana, a tarantula, a squirrel, or a baby lab rat, each pet has a story that is unforgettable and cherished forever.