The many bargains of Costco are sometimes perplexing; the item carried and what someone would pay for it. Look no further than the Featured Image. Who pays $600—on sale—for a cat litter box? You tell me. If that’s you, no offense intended, but I would really like to know why?
This post’s title tells you what I wouldn’t do. There’s no robotic in the Wilcox household. Plastic bag and a pooper scooper, and either my wife or I keeps our kitties’ litter box nice and tidy. Someone else will pay big for convenience and because their animal is more than a pet. It’s a member of the family, and he, she, or they is (or are) the parent(s).
Does no one see the insanity of it? My San Diego neighborhood is overrun with so-called pet parents—mostly for dogs. In one nearby residence, two men squeeze into a 450-square foot studio with a dog and two cats. I see women push pet carriages, like they might contain babies, with either cats or dogs. Animals replace children, and people spend beaucoup bucks on what amounts to palliative care, as the animals age.
“Peanuts is diabetic, and we give her insulin shots every day”. “Romper has kidney problems but thank God the vet’s prescription works”. “Gingerbread’s thyroid is messed up, and she takes hormones”. You get the idea. If this is you, and I offend, please accept my apology. No offense is intended.
On the other hand, if you are of parental age, geez, have a child. Don’t substitute with four legs and fur. Long-term, that human will be more satisfying to care for young and be a companion with when older. You both benefit. If you’d like a dog or cat for the kiddies, sure thing. They will learn by loving and caring for the pet. But, please, don’t substitute an animal for a child.
As for spending $600 on a son or daughter—absolutely! The cats can make do just fine.
The photo comes from Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 200, 1/125 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 9:43 a.m. PDT, today.