A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Pets
When you got your pet, the deal was that the kids would take on a lot of the responsibility. Ha! Now, here you are with a bundle of furry love . . . and a bundle of work. Your to-do list depends on what kind of animal you have, but across the board this cardholder typically CPEs food, veterinary appointments, grooming, pet supplies, finding a pet sitter for when you’re away, and the least fun but most important—taking out the kitty litter or being on the ready with poop bag in hand.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
The kids need to be healthy
Planning
- Researching pet type/breed
- Finding breeder/rescue/shelter, researching with breeder/shelter & communication
- Animal proofing if needed
- Researching & interviewing veterinarian
- Arranging for receiving pet
- Handling vet checkup appointments (e.g. necessary shots, spayed/neutered, nails, clipping, health concerns, medicine)
- Finding a groomer & scheduling grooming appointments
- Determining if it makes sense to purchase pet insurance & researching insurance plans
- Handling vet sick appointments
- Securing care during out-of-town travel/away times including researching options/ interviewing person or viewing facility
- Hair pick up issues (researching vacuum options etc.)
- Arranging for special outside access (e.g. dog door)
- Researching & purchasing appropriate food
Execution
- Receiving pet
- Purchasing food and treats and other necessary items (e.g. grooming items, bedding, crate, harness, litter
- Training (bathroom, sleeping, biting and introduction to babies/children)
- Feeding: Providing food and water daily and keeping bowls clean
- Bathing and brushing and/or attending grooming appointments
- Outdoor access & walking: Conducting appropriate amount of walks and exercise if applicable and/or scheduling dog walker/day care
- Pick up poop/empty litter box daily & weekly maintenance
- Cleaning up after pet
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Are your pets healthy, groomed, and socialized?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- It’s a Daily Grind: relentless and time-bound. Make sure each of you holds a fair share of these, ideally one from each suit.
- The holder owns all of it: noticing, planning and doing. No “just tell me what to do.”
- Agree the Minimum Standard of Care together, then let the holder meet it their way.
- Not working? Bring it to the weekly check-in and re-deal it. Don’t take it back mid-week.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.