Image zoom Credit: Illustration by Valeria Petrone When the kids were little, I craved an extra body in my lap like I craved another hole in my head or more applesauce in my hair. We didn't have a pet and didn't want one. We couldn't deal with anyone else demanding to be fed or entertained or not bathed; we didn't feel like fretting about another creature; and we didn't want to hear more noise coming out of anybody, even if it was just the happy chuffing of another well-loved animal. Our cups were full. Full to overflowing. To be honest, what we needed was not a fuller cup but a mop.