Why is it????

Question

Why is it ...
Why is it ok to shuttle your kids from house to house after a divorce? But when one of those kids wants to get a dog (with parent approval of course) we say "bad idea". That the dog would not adjust because of traveling with the child or because it would stay at one home and have seperation anxiety?? Since when do we care more about our dogs then our kids?
Why is it that tons of dogs seem to have happy healthy lives eventhough we don't have 5k set aside for the doggie emergency fun? Do those of us who love our dog find a way to deal?
And why is it that from this board it seems that no child should have a dog because someday they might go off to school? I don't get it.
I am all about responsible pet ownership but give me a break. Should we all quit our jobs and say home w/ the dog..or better yet ..hire nannies for them!
So maybe no woman should have a child unless she is capeable of being there 24/7 and already has all finances in order..for everything!! THOUGHTS??

Thanks for the answers everyone, i can see from you that have posted there is hope! I had to vent and give people of like mind or unlike mind a chance to repond! THANKS!!

Answer 1

I don't think it is any one else's business whether or not you have a dog. And I don't think you should care about their opinion. You know in your heart of hearts if you want and can care for a dog. Whatever anyone else thinks is irrelevant on the issue.

Answer 2

I don't think shuttling kids from house to house is the best situation for children to be in, and it isn't for a dog either. The children can still be happy because they understand, and anyway there's no changing the fact that the parents are divorced but there's no need to bring a dog into an unstable situation.
If the routine is set out and the child the dog will be with is responsible then I personaly don't see a problem with it. The dog may just think he has two 'packs', and the child is his 'leader'.
I'm 15, and might go off to University in four years but my parents would make sure the dogs are looked after so, again, I have no problem with an animal being in that situation.
Either way, stability is key. Dogs mourn losses and seperation just like we do.

Obviously it's hard for somebody to be at home with the dog all day. Families are smaller now and most of the time both parents work and the kids are at school so the dog has to entertain itself for 7 hours. I'm lucky because I'm home schooled and able to be with my animal but she sleeps through the day anyway.

I belive that even if somebody doesn't have a few grand in the bank, they should still have an insurance policy or atleast some sort of back up if the dog needs surgery. I hate the fact that so many people refuse to take their dogs to the vet because of the price. We aren't rich and if my dog needed it I'd give up everything I have for her because she's part of my family.

If money is tight a dog isn't the best option. My puppy so far has cost £230 or $450 in vet bills alone, and we've only had her 5 months! I'd hate to think what the total cost of toys, bedding, crates, classes ect is..

As for the last bit, I think a child will be happy as long as they are given love, education, basic needs and support.

Answer 3

I don't think it is good for children to be shuttled from house to house. And there are PLENTY of people who I don't think should have, or Should have had children. And it IS very important for people to have their finances in order before they have kids!!! And it is important for people to be aware of the cost of owning a dog as well. I was one of those children who went through my parents divorce, and I Did get shuttled from house to house. Luckily my mom was able to stay home with us, because we would probably be messed up from having a ton of parents, and on top of that a bunch of baby sitters. I don't think people should have to be stay at home dog owners, but I do think they should have enough time to take care of the dog. I don't think someone who works 10 hours a day 5 days a week should get a dog. And We are in the DOG section, that is why we don't talk about children. You can't assume people's views on how children should be treated when we don't talk about them in this section.

And I personally don't feel it is a bad idea for children to get a dog, if they have their parents approval, but the parents MUST be willing to help their children out with caring for the dog, and possibly keeping the dog as their own when the child does go to college. I have volunteered at an animal shelter, and I have seen too many dogs end up there because kids went to college, or got a job, or whatever.

Do you think these people should have a dog? (Not the asker, but the person she is talking about)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiexsCjeOQrAXDM44aq.bHvL7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071015184723AAD5RQC

Answer 4

I only advise against getting a dog when there is NO ONE at the house all day during the week. When the dog is home alone all day and needs medication for separation anxiety....there is a problem. Dogs are noble creatures who are instinctively pack animals. When a dog becomes part of a human family, he believes he is part of a pack. To be left home alone all day 5 days per week, he suffers from depression and feels separated from his "pack". He must then live in an un-natural and unhealthy state.

If someone is home most of the time..........get a dog. Dogs are great! Faithful, forgiving, loving, defenders of our home. Children who grow up with dogs as pets learn to care for others and learn responsibility. But it is in humane to expect a dog to live home alone all day.....and THAT is when I say, "Bad idea".

I hope I've helped answer your question.

Answer 5

because contrary to popular belief, dogs are more than just property. they are sentient beings that require time, attention, and money. no, i dont believe that children should be shuttled around, yes i think dog owners or other pet owners should be able to set aside money in case their pet becomes ill, if a child gets a pet and then goes off to school some parents will re home the dog (some not all), and no, women should not have children until they can provide for them financially. that is just common sense. todays kids spend more time in day care than they do in their own homes. while i realize many families require both parents to work in order to make ends meet, there needs to be some kind of consideration in effect for the childs needs. dogs and children both require a level of responsibility that some people simply cannot provide, therefore dogs and/or children are not for everyone no matter how much you love them.

Answer 6

My thoughts:
Point 1: some parents are using that "bad idea" to get a dog because he won't adjust as an excuse when they really just don't want the extra stress and obligation a dog will bring. They dont want the extra stress while dealing with a divorce and making sure the divorce goes as easy on their children as possible.

Point 2: Each year an average cost of a dog (food, toys, vaccines, vet check ups and emergencies) can be around 2k. Preventative care is the key, and doing the best you can.

Point 3: If a child is 17 years old and plans on going away to college, you don't get a dog. Period.
If a child is younger than 17 and his or her parents don't want them to get a dog, you say things like "consider when you go away to school" as a way to help them deal with their parents saying no to something they badly want.

How about YOU give US a break?

Answer 7

I agree lots of people that are not rich have animals and take good care of them. I'm sorry but I think we are here to take care of the animals but the animals are here for us too. The enjoyment of having a pet. Fr instance, an elderly person should they not be able to have a dog because they are on a fixed income. Thats insane, and for all of those saying adopt, adopt, adopt. Isn't it better that someone take a dog to a loving home then have it killed.

Answer 8

Well dogs mind better than kids, dogs are grateful for the attention, some dogs can protect you from danger, dogs never complain, dogs never back talk you, dogs can sense when you need them to love on you and know when to back off and stay out of the way. For some... dogs are the "kids" and get caught up in custody battles. SPCA, you know, the ones who stand up for animals is funded by donations. DHR is government funded. And you wonder why dogs are treated better... : )

SPCA -- People who care
DHR -- People who get paid to do their job