{{my responses as a member}} Quote:
Originally Posted by RachelandSadie  Also whoever thinks that dogs are equal to children are CRAZY. I feel really really bad if there is someone who cannot have a child and chose to have dogs rather than adopt human children. |
I really hope you didn't mean this.
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Originally Posted by RachelandSadie sometimes they fill a void like children would and sometimes they replace having children by choice or not by choice
i'm just showing that lots of us love our dogs and they fill a void somehow. mine sure did for us until we decided to have a baby. . |
My dogs don't fill a void left by children, nor do they replace children (unless simply loving them, for love's sake alone, is considered the filling of a void). While those opinions regarding voids and substitutes for children may be true for you, they are not true for others. It is wonderful that you're having a baby. However, living creatures having different meanings for all people - whether human or otherwise.
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Originally Posted by Britster Why should everyone adopt a child over a dog? Not everyone is fit for a child. I feel terrible for your dogs if they are not somewhat "equal" to your newborn child. So when the baby comes, they are pushed down a level? If so, that's sad. And happens far too often. Young people get dogs, treat them like royalty, then a baby comes along and they get shoved aside.
I agree that humans have a certain... superiority to dogs, obviously. But I see nothing wrong with treating my best friend and canine companion like a member of my family and equal to a child. Yes, I think there is a certain bond that is going to be there between mother and child that may not be there between mother and dog, of course. If I had to pick who to save from falling off a cliff, my child or my dog, I'd pick my child, that sort of thing.
But if a couple can't have a baby and wants a dog in 'replacement' of having a child, there is NOTHING wrong with that, either. You just have to realize that they are still a dog and will still do doggy things. |
Other than one tiny thing (I think dogs are superior to humans, in spirit, unconditional love, and conduct
!), I agree COMPLETELY with you, Brit.
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Originally Posted by ladyjane Just because a person does not feel as you do, does not IMO make them crazy. I know quite a few people who have chosen to have dogs over children and I believe that they are perfectly sane individuals. I don't for one minute feel sorry for them. That is their choice! 
I hope that your new feelings do not make you the next "rehomer". 
I do agree that dogs should not be taken where they are not allowed; but I will go out on a limb here and say that I have seen dogs behave better than many children in stores. It always astounds me to see the things that parents allow their children to do in public. Joann's used to allow dogs...they now have a policy that does not allow them. I do respect it and leave mine at home; but it always bothers me to see children running amock and knocking fabric off of the shelves...yes, I have seen it happen. I guess it is not politically correct to ban children.  |
Yes Yes Yes.
***Back to the topic, I honestly have no opinion one way or another where my dog is allowed, unless it was a service dog or therapy dog or emotional support dog. This concern is so far down the chain of priorities, I've never really thought about. I do understand the desire to have these little loves w/ you at every moment, however.