<p>Agree with everyone about humanizing pets. I live in a tourist area where we often see dogs in strollers, dogs in clothing,etc. My last dog was fifteen years old when he died about two years ago. It was a huge loss for me. I had raised him from puppydom and we were very bonded. It took about a year to get over it. In comparison I know if I lost one of my children I would never get over it.
A month ago I got a new dog from the humane society. Love this dog and enjoy his company as DH is away quite a bit. If I lost one of my children they could obviously never be replaced.</p>
<p>We treat our dogs very well, but they treat us very well also. A good friend of mine told me that after she’s dead, she wants to come back in her next life to be our dog.</p>
<p>No one has ever said they want to come back in the next life to be our kid.</p>
<p>My nickname for the kids and the dog is “Pooch” so that no one feels left out. Having become an official empty-nester last Tuesday when D2 left for an out-of-state job, the dog has become my new favorite child.</p>
<p>I think having a puppy/dog is a great way to help parents get through the “teen years” especially iif youhave teenage firls. When my teen girls are moody and cranky, I just focus on my happy puppy who is always thrilled to see me. My DH is the only male in a household full of women. Our puppy is great company for him when he feels the need to escape the hormonal chaos!</p>
<p>Am I the only one who wishes we could pack up our little hyper four-legged family member with the college essentials and leave him on campus with DS? Menopause and Barky von Schnauzers just don’t mix. ;)</p>
<p>Barky von Schnauzer! I have one of those. But she is a great dog, the best of the five dogs I have owned. I love my H and D, but my dogs are always nice to me. Can’t say that about the family members with only two legs.</p>
<p>My dog is my only truly gifted child. My human kids accept this.</p>
<p>1down12go: oh, do I hear you…</p>
<p>Snowball, I had to do a double take when I saw your thread. My dog’s name is Snowball and he was just complaining that I love the kids more than him!</p>
<p>Kids - do you love your dog more than you love your parents?</p>
<p>sk8rmom, I chose the name Snowball as it was the name of a beloved childhood pet.</p>
<p>No, but I had a cat who I loved more than my wife (now my ex-wife)</p>
<p>I love my kids most of all. But, there are days when I’ll be sitting at work and wish Batman would answer the phone and talk to me if I called. He’s my black lab, my therapist, and the family jester. :D</p>
<p>Wow this thread has cheered me up ! I adore my girl corgi…have a boy and he is more of a challenge in the manners dept , but my Stella is such a joy ! They are so happy to see me always and they make me laugh…and the kids are ok too ;)</p>
<p>This thread has me laughing.</p>
<p>I find a lot of similarities between the first years of raising children and raising/caring for dogs. They are mammals that are wholly dependent on you. It’s an incredibly sweet relationship. And while my son has pretty much outgrown the need for mothering, my pups never do and I like that.</p>
<p>Usually no…but my kids say that I do :)</p>
<p>I have loved my dogs as much as my kid and I love my kid a lot. I have also cried harder and longer for a pet who has died than for any of my relatives.</p>
<p>I have three dogs and I adore them, but if I had to choose between my kids and my dogs, the kids would come first. However… the kids have moved out, so the dogs get to stay.</p>
<p>The dogs were groomed yesterday and their haircuts were twice the price of mine! Does that mean I love them more than I love myself ;)</p>
<p>Dog or kid? Let me think…</p>