No pet because

[Coleroo]

On the issue of kids... When I was PG with my DD just two years ago people told me how I would suddenly realize that my cats were just cats, and the dog was just a dog. My MIL even went so far as to tell us we would have to get rid of our cats once the baby arrived.

The funny thing for me is that after I had my DD, I found I had an even greater reverence for life and felt even more compassionate towards my animals. My pets are still like my babies, just different from my DD. DD has to grow up and go out into the world as a well adjusted human being. My animals need to be well behaved, but can also be spoiled rotten in a way that my DD can't be.

Make no mistake, I'd take my DD out of a sinking ship first, but I'd also go back for my cats. Kids and pets are different, but you can have high levels of love for both. I don't understand why people often say it's one or the other. That's definitely not the case for me.

amen! its a different KIND of love... and a reverance for life..living things overall. Our comparison to "children" doesnt mean we would put an animal "over" a human life in the grand scheme of things. Its just that our animals provide a level of companionship - pure love, unwavering devotion, unfailing forgiveness, and adoration - that most human relations can't provide us because human interaction requires so so so much more input from both parties. Animal relations are like an escape to a simpler world - back to a place in time when we were all "innocent" as puppies..before the "real world" taught us the hard core lessons of life. I dont believe a deep love for one's pets stop just because human children arrive - or that only those without children would love their pets deeply enough to consider them as children - i have known many people -with children- who consider their animals their "children" as well. The level of love I have for my pets will not change when I have my (much loved already!) baby boy in 5 months - i am still the caretaker and provider for my animals...their livelihood became my responsibility the day they entered my home, and i take it very seriously. If i didn't take my responsibility for my pet's life seriously, i would have to think very very hard about my maturity in being the parent of a human baby.

I teach them, love them, feed them, play with them, can tell when they're unhappy, watch them grow, see to their health and wellbeing, provide them shelter, keep them clean - in my opinion that gives me the title of "parent" (i.e. caretaker, guardian, adoptive parent, whatever) to that specific animal. My whole family feels the same way regarding responsibility towards pets - my dad has a dog right now that he adores and she is constantly referred to as my little sister.

As for the frugality of it - i definately agree that taking on an animal is not for everyone, and there is a lot of responsibility involved in the long run. Its sad when people get animals and then neglect their care. I salute people who are able to see the responsibility involved (like those of you who posted your specific reasons for not having animals) and are able to conciously avoid taking on a life you may not be inclined to constantly care for. Too many people, unfortunately, just dont have a clue.. and in the end its the innocent animal who suffers (lack of food, lack of water, no companionship, chained in the backyard, no healthcare, etc). If we had more people in the world like those of you on here who truly understand what's involved - and made logical, concious decisions one way or another! - there would be far less animals in shelters these days!

[FrugalFish]

I would like to ask a question?

How come I took my child in for vaccinations 4 times but have to do my cats and dog every year?

Every pet owner (especially cat owners) should have the answer to this question.

On the other pet thread I referenced a cat I had that passed from cancer. That was a vaccination site sarcoma- I have asked your questions a thousand times about that cat and about the other animals I've had since. I suppose we already know the answer though...

I recently came across a website by a group raising funds to do a study on dogs and rabies vaccines, and they had finally hit their financial goal to do the first round of a study in conjunction with a university. They are hoping to extend the period between rabies vaccines in dogs to 7 years. I am hopeful the over-vaccination money-maker will soon be a thing of the past.

[scfr]

Frugal Fish & Coleroo - You guys explained it beautifully!

[ithaca]

My dog probably costs me $500-$1000 per year and is worth every penny. When I've had a long day at work, she greets me at the door with a tail wagging and a toy in her mouth. She gets me out walking around the neighborhood and to the dog park. She's good for my health and well-being. A great investment!

[geffklusner]

thats a good idea...........

[WhiteAl]

Having to put my dog to sleep due to her illness, was an enormous emotional event in my life. After being with your pet for a number of years, your dog or cat becomes part of the family. I think you get alot in exachange for that relatively small hastle of having to walk the dog, pay for its careing etc.

[boefixepa]

As to the question of having to get shots every year.....so your vet and those that produce the shots can stay in business and make money. And those people have passed laws that make you have to get them or get in trouble.

There is a great debate about how often they are needed, how long they last, the reactions they can cause, and the illnesses they can cause.

So now your dog/cat doesn't have to have the shots every year, but no one knows how often they do need them. Granted I think they last years and once the first series is over, I'm fine with every 5-7 years, but course the law says otherwise.....ah.....lovely.