How Green Becomes Wood

"Well that's true, that's why she wore a bell," Daizi pointed out, "just like how we'll put a bell on Ivy when she becomes mobile. And do you mean what happened to rip up her ear and break her tail or do you mean why we didn't have her? The injuries happened before she was rescued, and we don't have her anymore because... kittens don't stay kittens. She stayed little, and Dark was obsessed with her, but she had a good life. We adopted her when we first found our own place."
 
"The last bit is what I meant," Xander said while Alec tried to not imagine Ivy in a cat suit crawling around the house with a belled collar. "So, you're good with him getting a cat, then? At least in theory."
 
"As long as they're talkative or are willing to wear a collar, yeah, I'm okay with it." Daizi agreed, "We have a big enough house. We probably need to make sure Ivy isn't allergic to them, but she's fine with Cooger, and he's always covered in cat fur."
 
"This is true, he is basically a, well, a cougar," Alec agreed.

"A cat is a terrible idea," Xander disagreed. "They have litter boxes. At toddler grabbing level."

"Ew," Alec suddered.
 
Daizi made a face at the insinuation but then said, "I'm sure if we did decide to get a cat, we would find a way to baby proof the litter box. Plenty of homes have cats and babies, and let's be honest, Dark would not suffer an unclean box in his house."
 
"You got a point there," Xander replied. "What do you think, Enkidu? You're good with cats outside the house, but would you let one share your turf?"

"Would a puppy be any better?" Alec asked.

"At least they'd be the same species. There's something to that," Xander pointed out.

Alec sighed. "Maybe... but I don't think we have room for another pet."
 
"Do you really want one?" Daizi asked Alec, her tone more serious now, but not upset or judgemental or more curious, "If you thought we had the space, would you ask us about adopting a new animal?"
 
Alec looked down, suddenly bashful. "Well, you know, maybe. It's crossed my mind, but it's not a good time right now, and I wouldn't want to cause you any more work. I would try to look after it, but I have no doubt that Da- Baba might have to take it outside if it's a dog or clean a litter box sometimes. No, it's not a good idea."

"He just about brought one home last time we were at Cougar's," Xander remarked.
 
"Wasn't the last time you were at Cooger's when I was in labour...? Because that, yes, that would definitely have been a bad time to bring home a new pet." She remarked, stroking Ivy's hair, "Mama was already bringing you home, Ivy. We couldn't bring you and a kitty cat home together!" She grinned, kissed her baby's head, and then spoke again to her boys, "Not that she's a pet. But Dark wouldn't mind helping with the litter box, or going on daytime walks, since there's no point in taking Enkidu and a new puppy separately, but Ivy just started sleeping through the night. If we got a puppy, you would be on the hook for waking up with them. But if it's something you really want, we can talk about it. Cats and dogs aren't the only types of pets, we might be able to find something that fits."
 
"I wonder if it would be legal to keep chickens in the backyard," Alec mused.

Xander stared at him. "You go from dogs and cats to chickens?"

Alec held up his hands. "I was just trying to think of what other animals you can have as a pet! Cats, dogs, fish, birds... birds made me think of chickens. I know some places allow you to have a limited number in the backyard and some none, and I was just thinking what a useful pet a couple of chickens would be. Honestly, I don't know why they aren't a more popular pet. No, I don't want a chicken as a pet, I was just wondering the legalities of a chicken pet. Honestly, I don't want any birds as pets."

"That's good, because they creep me out with their fluttery wings when they are small and their intelligent eyes when they're big," Xander grumbled.
 
"I'm not sure if chickens are legal here. I wouldn't mind them, I don't think, although we already get fresh eggs from Cooger. But if you're worried about space and effort, they probably aren't a great choice. I'm glad you aren't interested in owning birds, I love them, but you aren't supposed to light candles with them, they're very sensitive."
 
"I did not know that. So, what other animals can you have as a pet? Um, guinea pigs, hampsters, lizards..."

"Lizards would be fantastic if they got out," Xander pointed out. "Ferrets."

Alec continued, ignoring Xander's comment. "A rat of my own, I suppose, a hedgehog..."
 
Daizi shook her head at Xander, "All animals are a hassle if they escape. But if you have the right environment for them they'll be comforting. I think ferrets are probably worse if they escape than a lizard. There's always fish and hermit crabs and frogs. But if you're serious and it's something you'd really like, we also have to discuss it with Dark."
 
"I didn't think it was something that would be taken seriously," Alec admitted. "I mean, I'd love to get a pet for myself, but with Ivy and school and the band... Enkidu's easy and has me spoiled."

"That's for sure," Xander agreed, patting the dog briefly.
 
"To be honest, I'm not sure if right now is the best time to adopt a new pet either, but if it is something that mattered to you, that's something we would have to talk about." She said, also reaching down to pet her dog, who was extremely thrilled by all this attention.
 
"It might be a good idea to try to decide which pet you want first," Xander suggested. "A lizard is different than a tortoise which is different from a cat which is different from a bird."

"I get your point," Alec chuckled. "A tortoise or a turtle might be a good choice. They're quiet and seem easy to tend to once you get them set up, but I think I'd prefer something I can hold and cuddle."

"That rules out most of the amphibian and reptile realm," Xander commented.
 
"Would you prefer a free roaming pet or are you okay with one that stays in a cage, mostly?" Daizi asked, because although she wasn't sure if it was right for them to bring in a new animal, it was helpful to know what he was considering.
 
"I don't know," Alec said thoughtfully. "I think I'd be okay with a cage pet, especially if Enkidu might want to chase it or doesn't want another cat or dog in the house."
 
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