Do our pets 'replace' our children when they've flown the nest?

Yes my darling dog did replace my DD in a way. She gave me love and affection. I was gutted when I lost her. I cant have another one as I work more hours and it wouldn't be fair on the cats to leave them with a dog. So I sometimes dream about dog walking, maybe in the future when I retire.

I've had cats since I was about 14 but no they certainly didn't replace my children, we lost our last two cats within the last 8yrs and we both said the same thing, how nice it was to be able to pack up for a trip or holiday without all the faff of 'sorting out' the cats. They are a tie a you so rightly say Willow but we're enjoying the freedom to be pet free nowadays.

Who knows when I'm much older not prone to on the spur of the moment absences from home we may think differently as I do love a cat around the place but for now we are a pet free zone.. oh apart from the fish in the pond and the neighbours 3 cats who come to our garden for a quiet bit of sunbathing.

Yes, I think to a greater or lesser degree depending on the person, people probably do.

We have to take our cats with us when we go away for the weekend - it's a mammoth task but we couldn't leave them here. Strangely once we're there they actually seem to like it and get on better together. We have said no more when they have gone but we've been saying that for the last 10 years - I think they put a sign up in the garden when a vacant arrises! We've always ended up with 3 up until last Nov when we lost the last one.

Peggy, our younger Jack Russell, was hit by a car at the top of our driveway on Friday night. The blighter didn't stop.

Luckily she's just battered and bruised and feeling sorry for herself but I've been fussing over her all weekend.

Being retired means you have lots more time for your pets so I'm glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow.

Aw, poor Peggy, how awful for her, I do hope she starts to feel better soon. She will be all shaken up and feeling stiff and sore for a few days. Poor little dog.

The answer to your question is definately yes, and my son hasn't left yet! I love her so much, but then she loves me so much too!

Ours is spoilt rotten.this is Reuben trying to get his Christmas presents.

If I knew then what I know how I might have bypassed the 'kids' and gone straight to dogs! My reasoning is that it not acceptable to shut the kids in the kitchen with a bone while you go out for a couple of hours and they are a lot less expensive.

Merlot hope Peggy makes a full recovery ??

She's doing fine, thanks, ruby and Anya. A bit stiff but still able to jump up on the sofa and cuddle down on her favourite throw.

It's amazing how quickly they heal.

Ummmm....Yes, I thought that was a given!

Our children haven't flown very far( and seem to be back in the nest a lot!)
But whenever I see a dachsund or a ginger cat I want one too.

Oh Merlot hope poor Peggy is ok - what an awful thing to happen. We lost a dog many years ago when she was hit by a car. To add insult to injury the driver tried to claim compensation for damage to his car - the dent was covered in rust and clearly an old one ?

Marmark1 Aw, your doggie looks so cute. Yorkies have a reputation for being little snappers but ours isn't, she wouldn't hurt a fly.

Anya I fully agree. My doggie doesn't argue with me, or give me cheek, ask for computers or lavish parties, is delighted to see me every day, even sits outside the bathroom door (although the kids have done this too, ). But like you say, I can go out and leave her alone for a while, can't do that with a toddler, although I did try but they escaped the cupboard!

Merlot I'm glad that Peggy is feeling so much better already, a few treats later, no doubt,

Willow500 We lost a dog to a car when I was a child (Rascal), but it's awful for the driver to claim comp for damage to his car, cheeky devil!

Thank you Rubylady,yes he is a little cutie,and like yours not at all snappy.Hes very good natured.Like a bleddy whirling dervish,he runs everywhere.

rosesarered- I have our 16 year old dachsie snoring right next to me on the settee

and our 17 year od Pudding sleeping on my bed upstairs waiting for us to go and join her (after a cuddle she goes off to her own bed).

When they go- we will have a 'rest' of about 1 year so we can do some trips we've planned for a long time (back to South Africa and also to Australia and Tasmania) then it will be time for another dog and cat- slways will be older pets and rescue.

Granjura - we have also decided to have a break when our current dogs have gone. We have three big dogs and don't do holidays as we are not putting them in kennels - they spend all day with us as we have our own business. But it will be nice to go away for a weekend or even a week. However I think we would be very lazy without a dog to walk.

Here is old Slinky on his ski hols last year- from the Tatler, no less!! Still going strong, about 16/17 now- sleeps a lot, but loves his cuddles and food and walks in the pram- and romps in the Church grounds, on the flat and with no obstacle.

There are plenty of places you can rent a place that allow dogs though. And if they have a passport, they can travel to Europe with you in the car. Slinky goes back and forth to the UK and back regularly. Via the Channel Tunnel it is easy peasy and he doesn't even notice.

We call ourselves mummy & daddy to our Springer Spaniel and I sometimes carry her like a baby.

Never thought I'd become so sad.

We have always had cats, dogs too until our last Spaniel Chloe died. They are part of the family and always were. If we do go away we have a lady called Julie who comes round to feed them. We find that is less stressful for the cats than going into a cattery.

Always had cats and no, they were not children replacements. But have recently got a cocker spaniel pup. Am absolutely besotted! My children say they never had as much attention!!

We take Reuben on holiday in hotels.

Yes!! I suffered so badly from empty nest syndrome, 4 children arrived in 5 years, then left home in 4 years! I went out and got myself a full time job to compensate. However when I retired, I bought a dog...then another. Definitely filled a gap, and when we visited a daughter with our first new pup, my DH said to DD "meet your new sister" ??