Get a dog.....?!

[Heaven]

No it's not the same at all but it is a little taste of what it's like having to think about something else all the time whenever you plan something. We got a dog first, not with the thought to see if we were ready for a baby but actually looking back it was probably like getting ready. Proving to ourselves that we could look after something and keep it alive, lol. And our dog is like part of the family we would never sell him or anything so we have to put up with him whatever we do, LOL.

[Cricket]

I guess it's because I'm not really a pet person then. Honestly - if I thought that having children was like having a dog, we would not have children! I find that pets in general are not worth the hassle that they bring. But babies, though they may be much more "trouble," are worth every second, IMO. (Hence the fourth little person on the way. )

[Heaven]

Oh yeah, I love my dog to bits, he is definately part of our family.

[Cricket]

Yes, I understand that for some people, pets are part of the family. And if you're not a pet person, you don't get that. But you don't get that choice with a baby. If you're having a baby, you're having a baby. You don't get to say after a few months "well, I guess I'm not really a baby person."

I guess I find it odd advice, because for people who like pets, it might give them a good hint at the responsibility of parenting, whereas for people who don't like pets, it will make parenting seem like a huge, unwelcome burden, and they might decide not to have children, just because pets didn't work out so well.

[HotI]

Yes, I understand that for some people, pets are part of the family. And if you're not a pet person, you don't get that. But you don't get that choice with a baby. If you're having a baby, you're having a baby. You don't get to say after a few months "well, I guess I'm not really a baby person."

That's how adoption works. You do have that choice.

[Taurean]

I can see both sides to this. I think parenthood will be SO MUCH harder than owning a dog but I can see some similarities. Here's a list of how getting a dog changes your world:

- you are responsible for another life. You must feed them, love them, train them, exercise them, entertain them, bathe them, etc.
- they actually cost quite a lot of money, especially in the first year.
- as puppies, they cry a LOT at night. Most new dog owners suffer from sleep deprivation during the first couple of weeks. I know it's no comparison to a newborn but it's definitely a taste of what you're in for as a new parent
- house training them is hard work. Actually, training them in general is hard work!
- you can't just go away for a weekend or overnight without considering your dog. I know you can have them looked after but organising a dog sitter that you and your dog are comfortable with can be a stressful experience.
- you do feel guilty being away from them too often (ie at work, going out in the evenings, etc) - well I do at least
- they need regular checkups with the vet
- they need bedding, toys, a lead, coats (for cold or raining weather), treats, flea and worm treatment (monthly), food and water bowls

Dogs love their owners unconditionally and you really do create a very special bond with them. Often dog owners have raised their dogs from an early age (as young as 6 weeks old) and you have seem them grow from needy little puppies to adult dogs. They grow up a lot quicker than a child but they still go through the different stages: infancy, toddler, terrible twos, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Each stage comes with a new set of challenges.

We have an 18 month old spoodle who is absolutely gorgeous and he's normally quite well behaved (although a little hypo!) but he's going through adolescence right now and boy do we know about it. So much so that we have a professional trainer coming to work with him tomorrow. It's all just a stage he's going through but like kids, we need to teach him that his behaviour is not acceptable and what behaviour is acceptable.

Sorry for the ramble, I just thought this might give non-dog owners an insight into what it's like to own a dog. I have no doubt parenting is a hell of a lot harder than owning a dog but owning a dog is not an easy or cheap job at all. It's still extremely rewarding though

[DANNIIM]

No way....parenting is easier than a damn dog! Nah seriously you can never tell what sort of dog it will be or how easy your baby will be, there are just too many factors. We got another dog, 2nd one in the family and he is an absolute nightmare of a beast and to top it off we got him just before we found out i was pregnant so we have been doing the whole naughty dog and baby thing together! He's coming better now but boy was he BAD.....he is a destroyer, we even turned to each other one day and said should we just sell him and i am one to never think anything like that!

We seriously do love him to bits.

[NaeNae]

I can see it from your perspective Cricket, but I guess I am inclined to agree to a level that people should have pets before they have kids.

Particularly for the reasons mentioned. Sometimes in the case that you brought up that people may deter from having babies because they couldn't look after a dog or cat - personally I don't think that is such a bad thing either - as harsh as that sounds. It could be more of a responsibility issue and lets face it people live longer than pets.

Saying all of that though there are a HUGE number of irresponsible pet owners out there as well as a HUGE amount of people who's babys are in fact a burden on them and they cannot handle (or want) the responsibility of the child.

Of course in your case you have said you are not particularly pet minded so for you I wouldn't recommened a pet BUT I think it comes back to seeing if a person is truely ready for how much of an impact a baby can have.

Its taken 1 alpaca, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 horses for me to finally decide I was ready.