I asked a question a few months back about how I felt about my dog when I became pregnant. A lot of people asked me if I would give a child away since I obviously would be willing to give my dog away. I'm just wondering if people who actually HAVE children, like I do, would even be able to say such a thing? A dog and a baby are much different. Dogs don't fall by the wayside when their families leave them. They wag their tales and find a new family, the same way our dog found a new family. People who compare an animal's needs to a child's needs either don't have kids or need to sit down and sort out their priorities. Or see a shrink.
2006-10-07 08:54:03 · 16 answers · asked by wjordanfam 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
p.s., I meant WE were the new family our dog found. We didn't get rid of him.
2006-10-07 09:00:42 · update #1
Just to clarify, our dog sleeps on his bed next to ours. I love my kids and I tolerate having a dog, but I don't mistreat or abuse him in any way, I wouldn't throw him out, I would never leave him at a dog shelter, and he gets plenty of attention and love from the other members of the family. When you are all talking about the poor dogs at the shelter, you should know that my dog is a shelter dog! I've been ther and I know how they are, but every dog we saw (and we went many many times) that was timid or afraid of people, we were told was abused or neglected - NOT CHARACTERISTICS MY DOG SHARES.
I do apologize to people who cannot have children, my heart aches for you, and I am very sorry. I have four adopted neices in my family and I understand the heartache. I am so sorry for sounding insensitive, I was not even thinking of a pet in that situation. In that case especially, I know a person can love a pet like a child.
2006-10-07 11:49:39 · update #2
you're wrong. animals feel things like love, hate, confusion, betrayal, and abondonment just the same as humans do. an older cat will sulk and pout and act out when a new kitten is brought in, just as a toddler would react to a new baby. an animals love for a human, and a human's love for an animal is a bond like no other, it's compassion that stretches across to an entirely different species. if you don't have as much love for your pets as you do for your children, you don't deserve the love of an animal anyway, and YOU are the one who need to sort some priorities.
2006-10-07 08:59:35 · answer #1 · answered by margarita 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Since I am unable to have children I have pets, and yes they are my BABIES, I do however realize they are dogs and cats first. And I'm sorry but you are so wrong about a dog being thrown to the wayside then all they have to do is wag their tail and get a new home. You my dear need to take a trip to your local animal shelter or pound and ask to see all the wagging tailed dogs they just put down because no one wanted them. So many people out there feel no responsibility to their pets and let them breed when there are to many good dogs and cats at shelters that need a home. Puppies and Kittens are like babies, they need to be shown right from wrong they can and do understand yes and no they all need to be potty trained, so please tell, why are they different? Because one has 2 legs and the other has 4, or is it that you think a human is superior? And before you answer that, think of it this way, if someone dumped you off in a far away land, how long could you survive with no money food water or anyway to communicate. So yes there are alot of people (like me) that feel the dogs and cats in their lives are their babies and we don't need shrinks or to sort out our priorities we are fine and maybe people who think dogs are just good for fighting or to be tied up in the yard with no affection THEY are the ones who need some serious help.
2006-10-07 09:36:14 · answer #2 · answered by kgreives 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can't actually believe what you are saying. If I had a dog before I had the baby, I would certainly not give up the baby, but I wouldn't give the dog up either. If the dog didn't get on with the baby I would keep them separate, and divide my time equally. And as for the bit 'Dogs don't feel by the wayside when their families leave them. They wag their tales (tails) and find a new family. I work at a rescue and I can tell you that a lot of dogs that come to us are severely depressed as they have been given up by their owners for whatever reason. They do suffer, and they do not understand why they have been kicked out. You may not have seen this happen, but I see it every day.
2006-10-07 09:06:18 · answer #3 · answered by Little Red Riding Hood 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't have kids, I chose not to, not that I don't like kids. I chose to have a dog-who is extremely attached to me and will fall by the wayside if I leave him for longer than a day or two, he would never wag his tail when he found a new family-he is not that outgoing-i have spent $2000.00 on my dog's education and probably much more than that over 10 years for his medical care. he has issues that most people would never put up with,however, i choose to do so, it is my feeling that if i had a child that had issues i wouldn't give it away, and i would never ever do that to my dog. my dog has seen me through alot of things throughout his 10 years of life, including a divorce, a pet to me is a commitment (just like a child) you see it through to the end no matter what baggage it comes with and i don't feel i need a shrink because i think that way.
2006-10-07 12:42:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Love is a kind of relative thing. Before I had kids I thought I loved my dog like a child-I have since realized I was wrong.
When my kids are grown I could see the need to take care of someone/something and will no doubt treat another dog like my own child. But as long as my kids are young they'll win hands down.
(before anyone gets ticked-off, My dog died just a few months ago - we didn't get rid of him)
2006-10-07 09:09:35 · answer #5 · answered by hazydaze 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow! How insensitive of the person who told you that!!
I must say- I don't totally agree about your opinions on dogs being able to find a new owner just like that. Infants don't go by the wayside if their families leave them either.
Hey, though. Everyone has their opinions. All I can say is,
Enjoy your Baby! :)
2006-10-07 09:01:58 · answer #6 · answered by Lee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
thats sad that you tolerate ur dog, I have 2 grown boys & I was able to love them as much as my animals that i had & they never felt left out....I had several cats ,dogs, horses, goats, chickens & none went with out...I now have a dog that is my life & i love her very much...she been my best friend & no questions ask...please find time for all...your dog dont want a lot of attention but a little goes a long way with them
2006-10-07 18:35:24 · answer #7 · answered by jpotts 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have had dogs and children. The children are grown now but it turns out the dogs have more loyalty, unconditional love and do not need or want your money.
2006-10-07 09:08:54 · answer #8 · answered by Bella Donna 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I consider my dog part of the family, i like to think if we gave him up he would become depressed and never be happy again. He is my baby, i could never give him away
2006-10-07 09:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by francheska 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They do. But if you were like 30 years old and your dog sammy was with you since you were 8 would you give your child away your child woulf find a home just like your dog.
2006-10-07 09:00:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋