How Big Will This Pet Get?
copyright 2015 by Tim Griffin

(spoken) I was visiting a shelter down in San Diego county
They had dogs there for adoption by the score
When I found a likely candidate and 35 pounds was his weight
I asked, “Is he done growing?” They said, “Sure.”

Yeah, 35 pounds WAS his weight ‘til I brought him home and he ate and ate
Until he got so big he broke my scale
I hardly could believe my eyes at my cute little doggie’s full-grown size:
A shepherd mix, possibly with orca whale.

(sung) How big will this pet get? When it’s living in my home
Will it eat me into debt and leave me wishing I had known
Oh, if only I had checked, is it finished growing yet?
There’s one question you must ask about a pet: how big will this pet get?

(spoken) Yeah, you’d better check for growth ‘cause baby animals’ll do that
They’ll grow and eat and grow before your eyes
That little pot-bellied pig’ll get too long and tall and too fat
And a Maine Coon cat’ll gain some size

You know certain breeds of rabbit’ll grow bigger than you, kid
And little llamas grow up way too tall
You’d better ask some questions like old man Noah did,
Find out before you try to fit them all:

(sung) How big will this pet get? It may look good out in the park
But when it’s part of my apartment, will it crowd it like an ark?
You can ask your vet or just go on the internet
There’s one question you must ask about a pet: how big will this pet get?

(spoken) Reptiles are a special case, before you go and buy one
You should really get some information, please!
Like when my brother bought a beautiful baby ball python
Turned out it wasn’t “ball,” it was “Burmese,” look ‘em up.

When most snakes are babies they look pretty much the same
You can fit ‘em in one pocket or one hand
Oh, but when they get to growing you’ll have no one else to blame
Before you get one you should understand:

(sung) How big will this pet get? When it’s living in my house
Would it rather have a rabbit when I offer it a mouse?
Better verify the species if you haven’t done it yet
There’s one question you must ask about a pet:

How big will this pet get? Will it fit it into my car?
Would it rather be roaming where the wild things are?
If you want a perfect pet, you must never forget
The one thing you ought to know before it starts to grow
There’s one question you must ask about a pet: how big will this pet get?