Quote:
Originally Posted by chimera17
Before I had children, I felt that way toward my cat. When I had kids, I actually developed an antagonistic attitude towards the pets I had at the time. Since then, it is very difficult for me to compare pets with children. Theoretically I can get it, and I am very good at giving sympathy but I just can't feel it, and basically it boils down to this: As a pet owner, if life progresses normally, you will almost certainly outlive your pet. You know logically at the time you become the pet owner that one day you will sadly have to say goodbye. As a parent, you are not supposed to outlive your children. In that regard, our relationship with our fur babies can never really be like the relationship we have with human children.
Not having children in no way diminishes the value or nurturing capabilities that someone has! It just isn't fair to compare parenting with pet ownership, no matter how easy it is to try that comparison. I also think it is a big emotional risk and potentially unhealthy to put too much of the parent/child expectations into a pet relationship, especially given the fact you will almost certainly outlive your pet. It is just asking for heartache  |
I agree with everything you just said. And I was a real dog lover before I had my son, now that's the last thing I would want to bring into my home.
I have a friend who tried to build a case about how his dog was his kid - that the two are interchangeable. I didn't say much because I get it, he loves his dog and he really is an exceptional dog owner and wants some credit for it, but I was secretly boiling over - the stress, the responsibility, the cost ... the stakes are so much higher. The love is so much greater.
If someone wants to say their kids are their pets, and it makes them happy and it makes them have a better purpose - than I'm all for it and I'll play along with it and go to their pup's birthday party. There is no reason to be mean. Let them have their animals and their happiness. Calling yourself a parent to a pet is any easy way to express that dedication of pet ownership. But by that same token, I just don't want anyone to insult my role as a mother (to a human being) and say that the roles are
exactly the same.