Now don't get me wrong. As a parent, I still want our children to learn responsibiltiy and yes, pet ownership does somewhat force this issue. But that aside, hearing a child's laughter watching their new kitten pouncing on a toy makes most everything else pale in comparison. By now, I'm sure you can guess that our youngest was thrilled when we "rescued" a kitten and made him a part of our family. And although the novelty of having a pet has worn off, the family once again has a source of love, companionship and pride that can't be easily replaced. Remember - it isn't always about learning a childhood lesson. Sometimes, the lessons take years to learn (especially when you look back to your own childhood).