No one mentioned the "Stray Pet" part of the program. Kids, especially boys, can not pass up a stray animal. I have housed cats, dogs, vicious magician's doves, baby squirrels, turtles, assorted "tossed from the nest" birds, fish, dying pigeons, etc. All require a suitable funeral which in a co-op means sneaking aroung the gardens at 2AM to inter remains. And the child's interest rarely lasts longer than it takes Mom to say "OK. He can stay". Lots of walking on leashes, attending to litter boxes, kamikazi bird dives and drops,...

And Spaw neglected to follow through on his story. First comes the proud "I put the clothes or dishes or tools away" which is soon followed by "I didn't think it mattered if I left the (fill in the blank) on the (fill in the blank).
My son remembered my birthday - makes up for a thousand lost hammers and at least one or two doves.