--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can keep my pet — while those from 13…" description: "\"“I can keep my pet — while those from 13 spell out what extreme difficulties this presents. Finally it’s worked out that we’ll be moved to the top leve..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/suzanne-collins-60_quote_i-can-keep-my-pet-while-those-from-13-sp_1407049.jpg" --- # I can keep my pet — while those from 13 spell out what… ![“I can keep my pet — while those from 13 spell out what extreme difficulties this presents. Finally it’s worked out that we’ll be moved to the top level, which has the luxury of an eight-inch window aboveground. Buttercup may come and go to do his business. He will be expected to feed himself. If…” quote by Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/suzanne-collins-60_quote_i-can-keep-my-pet-while-those-from-13-sp_1407049.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/suzanne-collins-60_quote_i-can-keep-my-pet-while-those-from-13-sp_1407049.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/suzanne-collins-60_quote_i-can-keep-my-pet-while-those-from-13-sp_1407049.jpg) > ““I can keep my pet — while those from 13 spell out what extreme difficulties this presents. Finally it’s worked out that we’ll be moved to the top level, which has the luxury of an eight-inch window aboveground. Buttercup may come and go to do his business. He will be expected to feed himself. If he misses curfew, he will be locked out. If he causes any security problems, he’ll be shot immediately. That sounds okay. Not so different from how he’s been living since we left. Except for the shooting part. If he looks too thin, I can slip him a few entrails, provided my next request is allowed.”” [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A pet’s strict regimen mirrors a controlled, oppressive environment, highlighting survival ethics and moral compromises. **In simple terms:** A pet’s strict rules reflect a harsh, controlled world. Key Takeaway Question moral limits in survival. Themes ethics control survival animal welfare Mood dark critical Type fictional ethical When to use this quote - prison life - military training - animal care in crisis Key Concepts authoritarianism moral dilemmas resource scarcity Questions to Reflect On - What ethical lines are crossed for survival? - How does power affect compassion? A Different Perspective May normalize extreme control over living beings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aboveground Buttercup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aboveground-buttercup-4947846/) [Allowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allowed/) [Buttercup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttercup/) [Buttercup Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttercup-come-4947845/) [Ll Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ll-moved-4947847/) ## Related quotes > [Entrails. No hissing. This is the closest we will ever come to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/entrails-no-hissing-this-is-the-closest-we-will-ever-come-to-love-2/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I take a few breaths to calm myself, step back, and lift Buttercup by the scruff of the neck. 'I should have drowned you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-take-a-few-breaths-to-calm-myself-step-back-and-lift-buttercup-by-2/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I am Buttercup. Peeta, the thing I want so badly to secure, is the light. As long as Buttercup feels he has the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-am-buttercup-peeta-the-thing-i-want-so-badly-to-secure-is-the-light/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“This is the closest we will ever come to love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/this-is-the-closest-we-will-ever-come-to-love/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Buttercup, miserable even with Prim’s constant attention, huddles in the cube and exhales cat breath in my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/buttercup-miserable-even-with-prim-s-constant-attention-huddles-in/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“You know, you better put Buttercup on your list of demands, too. I don’t think the concept of useless pets is well known here.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-know-you-better-put-buttercup-on-your-list-of-demands-too-i-don-t/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“When the light goes out completely, Buttercup’s temporarily distraught and confused, but he recovers and moves on to other things. (That’s what would happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/when-the-light-goes-out-completely-buttercup-s-temporarily-distraught/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Sometimes, when I clean a kill, I feed Buttercup the entrails. He has stopped hissing at me. Entrails. No hissing. This is the closest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/sometimes-when-i-clean-a-kill-i-feed-buttercup-the-entrails-he-has/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“As long as Buttercup feels he has the chance of catching the elusive light under his paws, he’s bristling with aggression. (That’s how I’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/as-long-as-buttercup-feels-he-has-the-chance-of-catching-the-elusive/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“Buttercup gives a flick of his tail that I take as agreement.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/buttercup-gives-a-flick-of-his-tail-that-i-take-as-agreement/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I reach for Prim in the twilight, clamp my hand on her leg and pull myself over to her. Her voice remains steady as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-reach-for-prim-in-the-twilight-clamp-my-hand-on-her-leg-and-pull/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I take a few breaths to calm myself, step back, and lift Buttercup by the scruff of the neck. "I should've drowned you when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-take-a-few-breaths-to-calm-myself-step-back-and-lift-buttercup-by/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [She's not here," I tell him. Buttercup hisses again. "She's not here. You can hiss all you like. You won't find Prim." At her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/she-s-not-here-i-tell-him-buttercup-hisses-again-she-s-not-here-you/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Her heart was a secret garden and the walls were very high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/her-heart-was-a-secret-garden-and-the-walls-were-very-high/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Buttercups and daisies, Oh, the pretty flowers; Coming ere the spring time, To tell of sunny hours. When the trees are leafless; When the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-howitt/buttercups-and-daisies-oh-the-pretty-flowers-coming-ere-the-spring/) [Mary Howitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-howitt/) ## More by Suzanne Collins > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“The same goes for the other captured tributes, Johanna and Enobaria.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-same-goes-for-the-other-captured-tributes-johanna-and-enobaria/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [He never lets go of Annie's hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-never-lets-go-of-annie-s-hand-not-when-they-walk-not-when-they-eat/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I want to interrupt the taping and beg Finnick’s forgiveness for every false thought I’ve ever had about him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-want-to-interrupt-the-taping-and-beg-finnick-s-forgiveness-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I pound on the glass, screaming my head off. Everyone ignores me except for some Capitol attendant who appears behind me and offers me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-pound-on-the-glass-screaming-my-head-off-everyone-ignores-me-except/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Because it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/because-it-doesn-t-matter-anymore-and-because-i-m-so-desperately/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Then I dive into my tent before I do something stupid like cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/then-i-dive-into-my-tent-before-i-do-something-stupid-like-cry/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“¡Es que no quiero que me conozcan! ¡Ya me están quitando el futuro! ¡No pueden llevarse también lo que me importaba en el pasado!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/es-que-no-quiero-que-me-conozcan-ya-me-est-n-quitando-el-futuro-no/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I act delighted, but I have zero interest in these Capitol people. They are only distractions from the food.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-act-delighted-but-i-have-zero-interest-in-these-capitol-people-they/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [You're punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have a fully loaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-re-punishing-him-over-and-over-for-things-that-are-out-of-his/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But the significant difference between Thirteen and the Capitol are the expectations of the populace. Thirteen was used to hardship, wheras in the Capitol,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/but-the-significant-difference-between-thirteen-and-the-capitol-are/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) [Explore all 1,709 Suzanne Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More Allowed quotes > [I just think that things should be allowed to run their course, and not turned into a Disney ride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-shaw/i-just-think-that-things-should-be-allowed-to-run-their-course-and/) [Fiona Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-shaw/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. 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Just once did I go to Bulgaria with my wife for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/for-years-i-had-a-top-secret-clearance-and-never-left-russia-just/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Keep in mind, I'm not allowed to be tough. I'm tamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/keep-in-mind-i-m-not-allowed-to-be-tough-i-m-tamed/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [As a child, we lived in flats, and I was never allowed pets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pigott-smith/as-a-child-we-lived-in-flats-and-i-was-never-allowed-pets/) [Tim Pigott-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pigott-smith/) > [I'm not allowed to date. My dad said so. 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Finally it’s worked out that we’ll be moved to the top level, which has the luxury of an eight-inch window aboveground. Buttercup may come and go to do his business. He will be expected to feed himself. If he misses curfew, he will be locked out. If he causes any security problems, he’ll be shot immediately. That sounds okay. Not so different from how he’s been living since we left. Except for the shooting part. 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