Dogs or Children?

Exactly, thanks henetha.

What's good is that there is more choice these days. When I was young there was the expectation that you would have babies, whether or not you were keen. (I was quite keen, as it happens).
The pressure has gone now and if people prefer not to then that's fine. And if you want dogs instead, or as well, then that's fine too. I'm all for choices.

Both, I'd say - and cats too. I can't imagine life without a little menagerie of creatures to care for. I've always kept them, since being a very small child. I'm very fond of my garden, houseplants and local wildlife too, so flora and fauna. I feed the birds, water the street trees and so on. The need to nurture things is very strong in most of us, surely?

If all their needs are all met, I'm sure that dogs don't mind being substitute children. What's the harm if they're well trained and not a nuisance. My four kids are grown - but I have the little dog.

She just loves being pampered and I will get a pushchair, but not because she needs it - I do. Sometimes I'll want to pop in a 'no dogs' shop, I won't leave her outside - but people never demand to see the contents of your pushchair!

dogsmother. I have been told in the past that I'm not a nice person because I don't like dogs. Also that people who don't like them are untrustworthy. I find that hurtful and insulting. If I were to say that people who put animals before people are untrustworthy I would be pounced on. I fully accept that people love their dogs. It's just not for me.

Should have edited to say choices can be made not to have children and that is fine. I have always respected that.

Sodapop I absolutely adore dogs…had I been wealthier I’d have also had horses. But I will never accept that people can put their animals ahead of their children - never ever.

I don't like kids and chose never to have any when I was 6 ...I'm 58 now, so give me a doggy any day!

Have a great day!

Yes I agree about the child free/childless reference. Dickens It is still assumed frequently that people who don't have children have some sort of medical problem.

sodapop

Not everyone has those maternal feelings Dickens and dogsmother and until fairly recently it was not admitted than women could feel that way. I'm talking in historical terms of time here.

I realise that not every woman has maternal feelings - it's not a crime, and it's about time it was acknowledged, and that people stopped referring to couples who don't have children as "childless", inferring some kind of inadequacy.

That's why I said that I respected anyone's right to be child free.

My comments about having both dogs and children is because the OP posted the question as "dogs-or-children"... one doesn't exclude the other.

Children over dogs

I adore our horses, and totally agree that a cuddly neck and snuffles cures most blues

Iam64

foxie48, I identify with your post about horses dogs and a child who almost broke your heart.
I had a cracking fall (from a 16.2 firebrand) at age 25, bent the top 7 vertebrae back, concussed and advised not to ride for 9 months. I was lucky it wasn’t worse. I stopped riding 15 years ago when RA got in the way but - the smell of horses still puts me in a good place.
My dogs became Therapy Dogs, the first couple accidentally, the next two more deliberately. My current two have had therapy pushed upon them as a result of my husbands devastating diagnosis and death last year. My daughters have also been fantastic support as they say I have been to them. 💙💖🐕🐶😍

Thank you for this post, one of the many things I love about GN is when experiences collide, it shows our shared humanity (and frailty). I feel very fortunate to have shared part of my life with horses (and dogs for that matter). They don't know anything about you apart from the relationship that you share. You can be rich, poor, clever or not, live in a big house or be almost destitute but they just see you as you are. I find this very humbling, they are great levellers and tbh they have taught me so much about myself. I am still riding in mid 70's and they are still teaching me. I am sorry you can no longer ride, I know how much I would miss it but pleased your dogs are able to give you some comfort.

I think if you choose not to have children - it’s child free.
Unfortunately ‘childless’ seems to describe those who want them, but for whatever reason are unable to.

Not all childless people choose not to have children.

Neither, I want kittens!

itv 8.30 tonight. charlotte hawkins presents a show investigating ' 'dangerous dogs' the truth'. put op on tv slot

Not everyone has those maternal feelings Dickens and dogsmother and until fairly recently it was not admitted than women could feel that way. I'm talking in historical terms of time here.

foxie48, I identify with your post about horses dogs and a child who almost broke your heart.
I had a cracking fall (from a 16.2 firebrand) at age 25, bent the top 7 vertebrae back, concussed and advised not to ride for 9 months. I was lucky it wasn’t worse. I stopped riding 15 years ago when RA got in the way but - the smell of horses still puts me in a good place.
My dogs became Therapy Dogs, the first couple accidentally, the next two more deliberately. My current two have had therapy pushed upon them as a result of my husbands devastating diagnosis and death last year. My daughters have also been fantastic support as they say I have been to them. 💙💖🐕🐶😍

Absolutely correct Dickens. Why do people forget what it feels like to be a small child, vulnerable and totally dependent.

I respect anyone's right to be child free, but those that refer to parents as "breeders" are obnoxious.

With or without dogs.

Lots of families have both children and dogs - and teaching a child to look after and care for an animal is a good thing.

As you get older, dogs can be great companions.

Why either / or? You can have both kids and dogs.

The only thing that makes me cringe is referring to them as "fur babies". It's excruciatingly twee, and just a tad disrespectful to the animal IMO.

BlueBelle

Children .. I don’t see any way of comparing dogs with the love we have for our children Dogs are animals to be loved as an animal, but comparisons to a human aren't really possible

If you had a fire and could only save your child or your dog you all saying you d save the dog !!!

If there was a fire and I had to choose between my dog and anyone else outside my very immediate family (husband, children, grandchild) then you better bet I'd be choosing my dog.

Children fit me I find dogs generally repulsive 😆. To each their own though. I’d much rather people who prefer dogs have dogs for the children’s sake .

Iam64

Liz Jones is tedious

I was blessed with children anc I’ve always lived with dogs, win win

Dogs are animals not fur babies

Oh, I agree re Liz Jones - she’s so self centred! I think her husband (Nirpal?) got out pretty quickly!

I agree BlueBelle. Two different sorts of love. Well I hope so!

Dogs every time.

Children .. I don’t see any way of comparing dogs with the love we have for our children Dogs are animals to be loved as an animal, but comparisons to a human aren't really possible

If you had a fire and could only save your child or your dog you all saying you d save the dog !!!