I told my first husband (who wasn't sure if he wanted children) that when I started talking baby fever to get me a puppy. He did, and proceeded to be the WORST DOG DAD EVER! so I didn't have kids. I raise a damn amazing puppy though. and appreciate every moment those pups have given me. and yes, I'm signed up for the rainbow bridge, over and over again.
I'm a little saddened by the either-or thinking in this cultural debate (I mean, even the late great Pope Francis thought modern couples were being selfish by heaping their affection on pets instead of kids). But man, I totally get why young adults today would hesitate about raising kids in this messy world. On the other hand, when hasn't it been a mess? This is a decision that's way far back in my rearview, so I keep my mouth shut ;-)
You're right on pretty much all points, Jan. It's funny...from a very young age, I never planned on having kids. Not once. I must have been in a small minority for girls/women of my generation. But as you said, rear-view mirror now.
Oh wow! That's a big one, although maybe the reasoning behind it is that humans understand what's happening to them and can try to save themselves but dogs, maybe they don't? I dunno...I'm grasping at straws but I would certainly risk it to save a drowning dog.
Not all people have what it takes to be a responsible dog owner. I would argue that those same people may not have what it takes to be a responsible human child caretaker either. Somehow, though, we just hand out babies and dogs to everyone like it’s a right- lol.
I have been following dog vs. children faux conflict since Christian Nationalists in the US brought it up in the context of trying to banish dog parks. Dogs are wonderful. Children are wonderful. Everyone should have the freedom to choose what they want in their life. However, modern life has made it increasingly more costly to have children, both in terms of financial expense and time available to spend raising children. If society believes that we need to be producing more children, then government efforts should be spent reducing the costs of housing, childcare, healthcare and education; assuring all workers earn a living wage without giving up leisure time, and creating an environment where families can thrive. Instead (in the US, anyway), the government is removing the little bit of social safety net we currently have, and also complaining about our love of dogs, as if that is the reason there are not more children.
Although I'm Canadian, I agree with you on all points when speaking of Americans. I can't even believe people have babies in the US, considering the cost of health care. 🫨 Unless you have good insurance, having multiple children could have you go bankrupt!
My kids would say I love the dogs more. I tell them each I love them equally for the same AND different reasons. Would I choose kid over dog or dog over kid, hard to say. Both bring hardship. Both bring joy. It will be interesting to see what unfolds in these comments.
I think you nailed it when you said this: "Both bring hardship. Both bring joy."
I could never see my life without a dog now and when my son was here, I could never see life without him either. Love them both equally, yet differently, as you said. 😊
I told my first husband (who wasn't sure if he wanted children) that when I started talking baby fever to get me a puppy. He did, and proceeded to be the WORST DOG DAD EVER! so I didn't have kids. I raise a damn amazing puppy though. and appreciate every moment those pups have given me. and yes, I'm signed up for the rainbow bridge, over and over again.
I'm a little saddened by the either-or thinking in this cultural debate (I mean, even the late great Pope Francis thought modern couples were being selfish by heaping their affection on pets instead of kids). But man, I totally get why young adults today would hesitate about raising kids in this messy world. On the other hand, when hasn't it been a mess? This is a decision that's way far back in my rearview, so I keep my mouth shut ;-)
You're right on pretty much all points, Jan. It's funny...from a very young age, I never planned on having kids. Not once. I must have been in a small minority for girls/women of my generation. But as you said, rear-view mirror now.
Beautiful piece but makes me sad. There was also a study that gen zers would save a drowning dog over a human. 😞
Oh wow! That's a big one, although maybe the reasoning behind it is that humans understand what's happening to them and can try to save themselves but dogs, maybe they don't? I dunno...I'm grasping at straws but I would certainly risk it to save a drowning dog.
Humans before animals. Sorry pup. People first.
Dogs ARE our children! Thanks. Good readin.
100%! I guess the next generation is taking that statement to the extreme!
"Dogs don’t throw tantrums if they find mushrooms on the plate;"
Not about THAT, anyway. Their inability to healthily consume the vast majority of human food limits that, but it can cause problems in other ways.
This is true but I would hope most humans aren't feeding their dogs things that are bad for them!
Not intentionally. But sometimes they can accidentally consume the wrong food if it is left in the vicinity of their mouths.
Not all people have what it takes to be a responsible dog owner. I would argue that those same people may not have what it takes to be a responsible human child caretaker either. Somehow, though, we just hand out babies and dogs to everyone like it’s a right- lol.
I'm glad you followed your first sentence with the second one because I was going to say the same.
I raised a dog instead of a person. Not everyone is meant to have one or the other.
Agreed. It's certainly not for everyone.
I have been following dog vs. children faux conflict since Christian Nationalists in the US brought it up in the context of trying to banish dog parks. Dogs are wonderful. Children are wonderful. Everyone should have the freedom to choose what they want in their life. However, modern life has made it increasingly more costly to have children, both in terms of financial expense and time available to spend raising children. If society believes that we need to be producing more children, then government efforts should be spent reducing the costs of housing, childcare, healthcare and education; assuring all workers earn a living wage without giving up leisure time, and creating an environment where families can thrive. Instead (in the US, anyway), the government is removing the little bit of social safety net we currently have, and also complaining about our love of dogs, as if that is the reason there are not more children.
Although I'm Canadian, I agree with you on all points when speaking of Americans. I can't even believe people have babies in the US, considering the cost of health care. 🫨 Unless you have good insurance, having multiple children could have you go bankrupt!
My kids would say I love the dogs more. I tell them each I love them equally for the same AND different reasons. Would I choose kid over dog or dog over kid, hard to say. Both bring hardship. Both bring joy. It will be interesting to see what unfolds in these comments.
I think you nailed it when you said this: "Both bring hardship. Both bring joy."
I could never see my life without a dog now and when my son was here, I could never see life without him either. Love them both equally, yet differently, as you said. 😊