I've read in a few places that people who are trying to decide if they want to have a baby should get a dog first. I find that really strange advice.
I can see that there is responsibility in caring for a pet, and a certain level of commitment required (although, you can sell or give away a dog - that's not going to happen with a baby!) but it's so totally different to have a baby! It's your very own little person! It's part of you and your husband. There's no hormonal reaction to a dog. No mother-baby attachment from conception on. No life-long commitment. No moral upbringing to undertake.
I guess it's maybe partly because I'm not really a pet person, but if I had to make the decision about whether to have children or not based on how I liked having a dog, I would never have children!
What do you think?