And that's what makes you sound like you can't keep a houseplant alive. The plant-before-pet thing isn't uncommon, you know, and a lot of people would just go "huh, you've got a fairly solid argument there - perhaps some flaws, but overall a strong theory". Whereas you, when confronted with said theory, refuse any sort of agreement. Which does sort of sound like you going "no, your theory is dumb, I can still have a pet no matter what my relationship with plants (because I have a black thumb that I won't admit to)."