Raising Kids vs. Raising a Puppy???

I happen to like (most) dogs. I think they are cute and friendly animals and I like playing with puppies. But I HATE when people who have dogs compare their taking care of their puppy's needs with me taking care of my baby's needs. Does anyone know what I mean??? Anyone else have such an experience?

I had an extreme experience:
My son was a few weeks old and I was taking him to the doctor midtown. I was wearing him in a front carrier. As I was waiting for the light to change so I could cross Park Avenue, a woman who was also wearing a front carrier walked up right beside me. Her carrier was different than mine and I quickly noticed that she was wearing not a baby but a little puppy!! She asked me how old my son was and I replied that he was almost 3 months. Then she said, "Mine too. You know, I'm just like you--going through the same thing, I have to constantly be cleaning the floors because he finds everything and puts it in his mouth!" Then I said, "Well, I guess yours is much more advanced than my baby is because he's not up to that stage yet!"
She didn't say anything after that.
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"You can say this for ready-mixes - the next generation isn't going to have any trouble making pies exactly like mother used to make." ~Earl Wilson

Senior Member Joined: Jun 04 2008 Posts: 101

Great response! I have had puppies and a baby, and I so know what you mean. There is really no comparison (although, there are some similarities). I HATE it when people refer to themselves as the dog's (or cat's) "mommy" - no, it is a different species, that is just not possible. I saw a lot of that attitude one summer when I was working in a boarding kennel... As much as I love dogs, that job really taught me that when it comes down to it, dogs are animals.

Posted: Thu, Jul 03 2008, 1:32 pm Post subject:

well kids grow up but puppies do NOT ...

what about vs monkeys Twisted Evil

I saw a documentary on people having monkeys as pets ... Shocked

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don't wonder why people go crazy ... rather wonder why we don't
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NUTso but cute ~ things balance out Nervous

Moderator Joined: Dec 26 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 11430

Dogs are obviously completely different than children, but there are definitely similarities.

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 11 2007 Posts: 3789

Honestly, anyone who would compare kids and puppies probably has no kids. I wouldn't let the comment bother me. I'm sure it's coming from a place of ignorance.

I'm embarrassed to admit that before I became a mother I had no idea how much more work went into a baby vs. a puppy... or how much deeper the love for a child vs. a pet is. I'm not a stupid person. I just didn't grow up around babies, and for many years we couldn't have one. Our dog was our baby and we loved him very much. Only after becoming a mother do I realize how ridiculous... but for some people without kids, who love their pets, they just really don't understand.

Moderator Joined: Dec 26 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 11430

I don't have kids, but have a dog. While I understand that kids are definitely a lot more work than a dog, there are some similarities.