[allme]

I don't have children but I do have 2 wonderful Cavapoo boys. I love them sooooo much and was just wondering, can you compare this love to the love of a child?

Like I said, I don't have children (and don't plan to) so I am sorry if this seems like a silly question to all you parents out there

[msxyz]

I do love my dog similar to a child, but not as much as my actual children.

[Webgoji]

It's not silly at all. I have kids and pets both. I love them all differently, but it doesn't mean I love my hounds less. I've had dogs and cats for as long as I've been alive and whenever one passes, we lose a family member.

[allme]

Originally Posted by Webgoji

It's not silly at all. I have kids and pets both. I love them all differently, but it doesn't mean I love my hounds less. I've had dogs and cats for as long as I've been alive and whenever one passes, we lose a family member.

Yes, losing a pet really does feel like losing a family member

I only ask because a friend of mine is a new mum and she talks about the love she has for her kids and how much they mean to her and then I talk about my 2 dogs I guess I hoped she wouldn't think it offensive me talking about my love for my dogs as she does about her love for her kids in the same conversation. She really has said a lot about this special kind of love she has for her kids...I am just wondering if it's different to the way I love my babies. Anyway, I am curious about the love ppl have for their kids, and I guess even more so since I wont be having any...

[gayleggg]

I think if you don't have children it is possible to love an animal as much as you would a child. If you have children priorities change, but it doesn't mean you love your pets any less.

[Webgoji]

Originally Posted by allme

I only ask because a friend of mine is a new mum and she talks about the love she has for her kids and how much they mean to her and then I talk about my 2 dogs I guess I hoped she wouldn't think it offensive me talking about my love for my dogs as she does about her love for her kids in the same conversation. She really has said a lot about this special kind of love she has for her kids...I am just wondering if it's different to the way I love my babies. Anyway, I am curious about the love ppl have for their kids, and I guess even more so since I wont be having any...

Well, now that's a little different thing. See, women have a connection with their children that nobody will every have. It comes from literally having that physical connection for 9 month. Not a hugging, loving connection like fathers do, but the actual physical blood flow and nutrient flow that they have as the child grows inside them. It's not that they love their children more than say, you love your pets, but their connection is so much stronger.

This leads to an interesting family dynamic as well in that the father doesn't have such a strong connection (let's assume for now that it's a father/mother family and dad didn't bail out). He loves them as dearly, but he'll never have that connection the mother did so he falls into an interesting supportive role. It's not gender role nonsense, but a biological role. Wild, but interesting to observe.

[avlady]

i think it is just a different kind of love, less responsibility for animals too, even though we do have to take them out to pee and such. i believe there is a strong bond with us with animals, almost like children, we love them in a different way, i would say it would be easier to lose an animal through death than a child, animals don't live as long as people either.

No u can definitely love them the same x it is until u suffer a loss of a dog that has been with u through a lot that u realise the power of love x

So avlady losing a pet is heart wrenching and pretty bad especially if they died in your arms with cancer like mine did

[allme]

Originally Posted by Webgoji

Well, now that's a little different thing. See, women have a connection with their children that nobody will every have. It comes from literally having that physical connection for 9 month. Not a hugging, loving connection like fathers do, but the actual physical blood flow and nutrient flow that they have as the child grows inside them. It's not that they love their children more than say, you love your pets, but their connection is so much stronger.

This leads to an interesting family dynamic as well in that the father doesn't have such a strong connection (let's assume for now that it's a father/mother family and dad didn't bail out). He loves them as dearly, but he'll never have that connection the mother did so he falls into an interesting supportive role. It's not gender role nonsense, but a biological role. Wild, but interesting to observe.

I sometimes wonder if I'll be missing out not experiencing this kind of connection Sounds quite amazing really....

[allme]

Originally Posted by muaythailady88

So avlady losing a pet is heart wrenching and pretty bad especially if they died in your arms with cancer like mine did

My baby passed from cancer 2 years ago....I understand how painful it is

[Webgoji]

Originally Posted by allme

I sometimes wonder if I'll be missing out not experiencing this kind of connection Sounds quite amazing really....

It's quite amazing to see. But it's an experience like any other. If you choose not to have kids, you'll be able to have a host of other experiences that those of us with kids won't because we're sitting at Parent/Teacher conferences (yawn) and having "The Talk".

There's ups and downs with everything. It just depends on what you want as a person.

[allme]

Originally Posted by Webgoji

It's quite amazing to see. But it's an experience like any other. If you choose not to have kids, you'll be able to have a host of other experiences that those of us with kids won't because we're sitting at Parent/Teacher conferences (yawn) and having "The Talk".

There's ups and downs with everything. It just depends on what you want as a person.

What a great way to put it....thank you!

Don't worry Allme am sure ul make a wonderful parent xx

[allme]

Originally Posted by muaythailady88

Don't worry Allme am sure ul make a wonderful parent xx

Aw thank you

[happiedasiy]

Originally Posted by muaythailady88

Don't worry Allme am sure ul make a wonderful parent xx

Dear allme, muaythailady88, and all others who have posted.

I am a parent of an adult child 26 who has been out of the house for a few years now.
I am still young, thank you.
Love and Loss I am on my own.
The loss of my animals devastated me but the loss of my daughter for 2 years, there are no words to describe that.

For a person who has no children, yes, you are the parent of your pet, as they are part of your family. YOU feel Paternal Love.
Remember everyone is different. Some Mothers will say they love all their children the same. Imo this is not so, each relationship is different and personal.

Let us not forget how wonderful and amazing are children were with glossy eyes of a young parent.

If by choice or circumstance you choose not to have bio children, that is fine but it doesn't exclude you from having Parental Love that is born in you from birth its part of our genes.
How and with who you express it is up to you. You will make relationship/connections in life, I promise you.
When you feel it you will know it.
H.

[(JD)]

It is a different love...

But my love for my Caleb (and before him, Figaro) was stronger in many ways...

Caleb loved me unconditionally... he was always there when I needed or wanted him...I was his first priority... I can't say that about my sons.

I've been separated from my sons since they both married 20+ years ago... so while my love for them is very strong, it isn't reciprocated visibly. I know they love me but they allow the other aspects of their lives interfere with exchanges with me. My dogs never did that!

[marmaduke]

When I brought my house the seller had 3 dogs, 6 house cats including beautiful Persians with huge blue eyes and long fur, 2 parrots, gold fish & koi carp.
She explained that because of a genetic condition she could not have children and that she known this since childhood. Her pets were her children they were her family and I have no doubt she loved them just as much.

[Citrine]

Why not? are animals worth less because they dont say `mummy'? I like children, I do. They are defenceless and open beings. They are fun. They like me and Im great with them. Animals are all of above even more so. I see a baby and have virtually no ahh factor going on I see an animal and gravitate and feel awe. I will protect a child out of automatic duty. I will protect an animal from the heart. This is maybe how some humans are to be to equal all the humans that think the human race and themselves are very important and thus must replicate themselves (to the point of over 7billion)

In any pet Ive had (I prefer companion animal or furry family) I see a little soul, like a special little alien (because we dont look alike) being that Im lucky is my friend. Yes I think some love them as much as human children.

Originally Posted by happiedasiy

Dear allme, muaythailady88, and all others who have posted.

I am a parent of an adult child 26 who has been out of the house for a few years now.
I am still young, thank you.
Love and Loss I am on my own.
The loss of my animals devastated me but the loss of my daughter for 2 years, there are no words to describe that.

For a person who has no children, yes, you are the parent of your pet, as they are part of your family. YOU feel Paternal Love.
Remember everyone is different. Some Mothers will say they love all their children the same. Imo this is not so, each relationship is different and personal.

Let us not forget how wonderful and amazing are children were with glossy eyes of a young parent.

If by choice or circumstance you choose not to have bio children, that is fine but it doesn't exclude you from having Parental Love that is born in you from birth its part of our genes.
How and with who you express it is up to you. You will make relationship/connections in life, I promise you.
When you feel it you will know it.
H.

As a lady losing two babies at 12 weeks miscarriage. That was devastating also. So I guess your right. It depend on the circumstances and that. God forbid tho if I have kids n any harm comes to them. I would never forgive myself for that xx

But I was more devastated as my dog was part of my family and helped me beat a lot of depressive days for nearly 10 years before his cancer and death Monday just gone x

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by allme

I don't have children but I do have 2 wonderful Cavapoo boys. I love them sooooo much and was just wondering, can you compare this love to the love of a child?

Like I said, I don't have children (and don't plan to) so I am sorry if this seems like a silly question to all you parents out there

I don't have human children. Never wanted them. BUT I tell people my children all have four feet and wear fur coats.

[TheOriginalMe]

I'm relieved that I don't have children, but I can't ever imagine not having space in my heart for a dog.
I believe that I love my dog as much as I could love a child

[marmaduke]

happiedasiy
Parental Love that is born in you from birth its part of our genes.

Not with my mother it wasn't!
Probably why I prefer animals to people, I can't trust people.

[marmaduke]

Originally Posted by muaythailady88

But I was more devastated as my dog was part of my family and helped me beat a lot of depressive days for nearly 10 years before his cancer and death Monday just gone x

You will never get another dog exactly like the one you've lost they all have different personalities, it will take time to grieve.
But your past companion will want you to be happy, and, if he/she is looking down on you he will be saying 'mum get another friend A.S.A.P'