When I was 14, I wanted to have a cat and my parents were against it. The usual tears did not help.
The case helped. My classmate is pregnant. Mom came from the parental gathering where this shocking case was dealt with, impressed by the news. In the mid-1980s, it was just nonsense. I approach her and ask with a quiet voice:
“Mom, who do you want me to bring home: a little girl, a little boy, or a little cat?”
The next day, a cat came into our family.