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.
I do know people that I would trust to look after my kids, but not my cats In my mothers case she was better off sticking to her cats than having kids. Amazing even in her will she had what to be done with her cats upon her death, but not what she wanted done for herself.
I had to put my lovely baby-dog down last August, aged 14.
I got her a couple of years before my first nephew arrived and I used to joke about how much easier a dog was than a baby -- three days to toilet train and able to be tied up outside the shops or left in the car (for short periods, with the windows down). I filled up her food and water bowls when they were empty. In return she gave so much love and shared her absolute joy at being alive.
I still miss her so much. We have a new dog now, who is a sweet thing but not as adorable as my old pal.
I am getting a bit worried about my reaction to the baby, actually, because it's going to be so much more work than a dog.
I don't think anyone should get a dog for "practice". Having a special dog friend is only rewarding if you like the way dogs operate.
I LOVE dogs. We had a dog before DS, he died when DS was 6 weeks old, he was our baby, we would never have parted with him, we loved him so much and had a very strong bond with him. However, a dog is much easier than a child! Easier to TT, easier to discipline, easier to get a sitter for, for the weekend LOL.
DH is adamant about not having another child ever, so in a couple of years he is going to buy me a puppy to treat like my baby, nurture, I need to nurture, so getting a puppy for us will be adding to our family, only a lot less stress than another baby he he.
i have 4 dogs, 4 cats and 7 chickens, and they are all eaiser to deal with than 2 naughty toddlers!!
but i agree that having a dog can give you a sense of responsibility, when i was living on the sunny coast for uni, i bought jeffersen, a black pomeranian/chihuaha, and he was my baby, he slept in my bed, drove everywhere with me, went everywhere with me, and was obsessed with me. he really taught me about responsibility, i felt guilty as sin everytime i had to leave him at home to go to classes, i would never smoke in my car if he was in it, and i always made sure that i had money at all times in case of vet emergency etc. so i think that having a dog can be a great prelude to parenthood.
on another note, i too became quite obsessed with jeffersen, i couldn't believe how much i could love and want to protect a dog, so when i found out i was pregnant with xavier, i was terrified i was going to lose my mind with love for my child, if the amount i could love a dog was so intense...
i'm also of the mad-keen-dog loving brigade. But I think it all comes down to personality. DH and I absolutely adore our dog and have found she's been a bit of a sbustitute during our battle to have our own baby.
We take our role as her "pack leaders'' very seriously and we are just the kind of people that once an animal comes into our home, it stays - it's accepted as family.
Both our families are all crazy dog people too though, so it's a natural state for us.
BUT i do agree that just because you can raise a pup doesn't mean you can handle a baby. they are completely different. however, there is some truth to what others' were saying about a pet perhaps being the training wheels for a much more serious committment.
There's people who take on a pet and treat it as a disposable thing and can just get rid of it, iykwim. I suppose they, gasp-horror, treat their pet as an animal not a family member. so there's no real strong attachment.
if someone feels that getting a pet before having a baby may help them cope with not living such a selfish life, then great for them. At the end of the day, everyone has got to do what they feel is good for them. each to their own.
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In my mothers case she was better off sticking to her cats than having kids. Amazing even in her will she had what to be done with her cats upon her death, but not what she wanted done for herself.
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