[Krystee]

Hey everyone!! I posted a message awhile back about me being pregnant and I have been hanging out on a pregnancy message board while I get through the scary first trimester.

Well, someone posted a thread about "Pet parents" on the off topic board and how some of their childless friends who compare having a child to having a pet and how they think it's ridiculous.

Here are some of the replies that have me super annoyed.

I agree that you cannot even come close loving a pet compared to loving a child. I personally have never met an animal that I loved.

"The thing that irritates me, and probably shouldn't, are people who spend insane amounts of money on their pets. Not that taking good care of your animal and making sure they are healthy is bad. The one thing that really comes to mind that bothers me are people who cook every meal for their pets. I saw an episode of Rachael Ray where she said that she cooks her dogs dinner and showed some recipe for some dog stew or something. The reason this bothers me is because I have a strong conviction about social responsibility. There are SO many people, specifically children, in American that go without food or clothes or medical care and I think that if you have the money to buy cuts of meat and make your dog stew for dinner, that money might be better spent helping an actual human survive.

I realize that people may not share this opinion but it's what bothers me. Again, not saying that animals don't deserve to be well taken care of. I just think that's crossing the line and those people might have their priorities wrong. (lol according to what I think priorities should be)"

"I can totally see where you are coming from... I could never ever ever love an animal as much as a human being. Actually I can't stand animals so that probably has something to do with it My mom on the other hand has been going through withdrawls this summer because my brother is going off to college (her last, and favorite child ) and she will be all alone. So she bought this little dog, DD1 loves her... I can't stand the dog!!! My mom has bows for her hair, she sleeps wth the dog, just basically anything I would do for DD1 she does for this dog. It is like her new child seeing as all her children are gone. I have never had an inside dog and my children won't either. DH and I believe that IF our children get an animal it will be outside, some think this is horrible and heartless but thats just our opinion. I figure if this dog brings my mom happiness in her time of sorrow and emptynesting then more power to her."

"Um, yes! I do have to admit that this is coming from a non animal lover, but I have even heard animal lovers say that it drives them crazy when people take it overboard. (I think animals are ok. I take it on a case by case basis, really , so I don't hate them or anything.) But I do hate it when ppl put their animals b4 people. Like, "I can't come visit you this weekend, bc I don't have anyone to watch my dog." Or having to interrupt Bible study @ their house bc their dog is in the back room whining bc he isn't getting any attn. Keeping a dog that's a danger to humans really irks me as well. & the amount of $$ some people spend. yikes! I guess if it makes you really happy, then go for it, but when they start putting an animal b4 a real person, that's when it's out of balance IMO. I rather think it's heartless to keep a bigger dog couped up inside all day, especially in a little apt which some ppl do. Dogs were made to have room to roam. Ideally, I would want a ranch or something b4 getting a dog. (I also don't like little dogs AT all.)"

First, why would it bother someone how much money another person spends on their dog? It's THEIR money to do with what they please. There are so many evil dog abusers out there and you are annoyed that someone is treating their pet too good?

Second, why would someone get a pet just to stick it outside? That bothers me so much!! If you aren't fond of animals, that's fine... just don't get the animal to being with!

I'm sure the love I will have for my skin child will be way different than the love for my furbabies but do I understand people treating their pets like children... of course!! Especially those people who can't have children or don't want children.

Sorry for the novel but I needed to rant to people who understand my point of view. I seem to be the minority in my opinion over there.