A Little Understanding Would Be Good...

[LizardMama]

In a way this is a thread on Gray Tree Frogs and in a way it isn't. My father is adamant that I get rid of my 2 Gray Tree Frogs which I have had since February 2012. He's made all these claims that I've "destroyed their lifespans and that they are dirty" etc. Can I get someone to help me in having him understand me? I have just 2 Gray Tree Frogs, have gotten rid of 3 of my 5 American Green Tree frogs (leaving me with just 2 now) and he's really wanting me to get rid of the Cubans that were sent to me (because he sees them as 'dangerous').

My father and I do not live in the same house, he's not as big of an animal lover as I am and he doesn't really understand the idea of keeping frogs as pets. I've tried to explain it to him why people keep exotics such as frogs and he just brushes it off. Can someone help me?

[Lija]

sounds a lot like mine, controlling father, even if we don't live under same roof or even same continent really :lol: his true is always truest, but I don't care, it my life.
in you case actually I doubt the whole thing is about frogs, he will never understand, no matter how hard you try, thus why bother? it is your life, your home, your frogs , you can do( or keep) whatever you feel like, he will need to accept it or not, but it is not your problem.

[ejh805]

Lija is right.

My fiancees father is the same way.
Even though we don't live with him or near him.
Some people just have a need to control others. Your dad sounds like one of those people.

Live your life and do what makes YOU happy.

[deranged chipmunk]

^^^^ here here!! while admittedly, i can not relate to having a controlling parent, i do get the "why" question all the time. "why frogs?" "why shrimp?". i just tell people, it's what "I" enjoy, and that is all that matters. people to need accept you for who you are, the complete package, frogs and all. if they can't, well then, that is their issue that they need to work out. to paraphrase and old Billy Joel song, "don't go changin', to try and please" ANYONE!!!

[Pluke]

Why is it of any concern to him what animals you keep if he doesn't even live there..? That really irks me and it's not even my problem. Just tell him you enjoy having them and in actuality there is a good chance your prolonging their lifespan, because of the lack of threats from predators and disease. He obviously has no idea what he's talking about.

The Cubans are dangerous? Only way they could be dangerous is if you let them go, you know, since they're an invasive species. From the sounds of it, that's what he's suggesting you do. Let them go... yeah, that makes sense. I'd just tell him to mind his own business. You're not under his roof anymore, sounds like he needs to come to terms with that. You have these animals because you like them and they make you happy, whats the problem with that? As long as you take good care of them, there should be no issue. I could see him being bothered if you were a terrible keeper, but I don't think that's the case.

[Lija]

Live your life and do what makes YOU happy.

exactly!!!!

as for why frogs or any herps/pets for that matter. some people getting antiques, some stamps, some something different, we like to have a piece of nature in our house and that makes us happy.

[Shade38]

Why are they "dangerous?" I don't get the reasoning.

[ejh805]

Why are they "dangerous?" I don't get the reasoning.

I don't understand the reasoning either. If anything, they're probably more therapeutic than dangerous.
Probably ignorance of the animals on the fathers part :/