Redditors Discuss How Owning Dogs Influenced Their Decision To Not Have Kids

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kalila courban
Feb 21, 2022 1:00 PM EST

Not everyone is interested in having human babies, some of us prefer babies of the animal variety. We here at ICanHasCheezburger know that raising pets ain't no easy task, it requires a whole lot of time, effort, money, and dedication. And it can be a good test of ones readiness to take on additional responsibilities, as well as to test one's limits!

The original poster of this thought provoking thread emphasizes how having a dog heavily influenced and reaffirmed her decision not to have any human babies. And that is okay. Every person is different and gets to choose his or her path, especially when it comes to choosing whether or not to bring tiny humans into the world. It is also okay to change one's mind and reevaluate previously made decisions as life changes! 

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  • 01
    Font - r/dogs u/-sincerelygabby · 1d 1 1 Owning animals has made me realize that I don't want kids.
    via sincerelygabby
  • 02
    Font - Let me explain. I rescued a lab puppy a few months ago. Her energy is constant and never ending and she demands attention at all times. Yesterday, I came home after a long day of work to a chewed up painting covering my floor. It's almost impossible to get anything done with her around - She has bad separation anxiety so she follows me EVERYWHERE. She digs at the carpet, constantly finds things to chew, barks 24/7, eats shit from my cat's litter boxes, etc. We have spent 100's of dollars
    via sincerelygabby

    There is a negative stigma surrounding people who choose not to have kids, and if you ask us it is totally unjustified. Everyone should be able to choose what is right for them, especially when it comes to something that can be such a large aspect of life?

  • 03
    Font - Few-Specialist-1619 · 1d I was a bit on the fence about kids too - mostly due to our planet becoming unliveable, and no corporate monsters giving a shit about anything other than making money - but also because I knew kids were hard work, and I enjoy my career/freedom. I've have had so many people tell me that my dog sounds way harder than a kid, and he's certainly gotten in the way of my freedom. But the reason I realised I didn't want kids now is because, as the woman in the relationshi
    via Few-Specialist-1619
  • 04
    Font - strawberrymoonbird · 1d I knew since early teenager years that I am not willing to be a mother. I have two dogs that I love so much I sometimes can't believe it and it has absolutely confirmed my decision not to have children. My dogs are pretty well behaved at home and stil| I have to give them so much attention. But I can leave them alone unattended for 8 hours without coming home to child protection services kicking in my door or destruction (except the one time they managed to steal a
    via strawberrymoonbird

    "Sure, children can be fun to have around, but they are significantly more work. My dogs give me so much love and joy while not screwing over all other aspects of my life and I am so grateful for that happiness and freedom. It's pure bliss."

    Nuff said. 

  • 05
    Font - Krispyz · 1d Bailey: Golden mix Haha, my husband and I long ago decided we don't want kids. He's more on the fence in a "l don't actively want any, but it wouldn't be the end of the world", I'm very much "it would be the end of the world" don't want kids. When we finally started getting nieces and nephews, he went hard into "Cool Uncle" mode and I was paranoid that he was going to change his mind on not wanting his own... Until we spent two weeks helping my brother take care of his newbor
    via Krispyz
  • 06
    Font - -sincerelygabby OP · 1d I feel like pet (especially dog) ownership isn't touched on enough. It's more than just enjoying the company of a cute, fluffy animal. They may not be able to speak or evolve like humans can, but they still require demanding care. Not to mention food. Treats. Toys. Training. Vet visits. Chewy subscriptions (if they're spoiled like mine) may not come anywhere close to the cost of a child but it's still a lot. I read people spend an estimated amount of $1,500 to $9,9
    via sincerelygabby
  • 07
    Font - RegularTeacher2 · 1d Millie: APBT/Heinz57 mix, Elvis: Am. Foxhound Lol yeah, I've always been pretty certain I never wanted kids and I'm also of the mindset that you should REEAAALLLLY want kids if you decide to actually have them, and I've just never felt that way. But yeah, after owning several dogs l've come to realize that I find dog ownership stressful enough, much less potential parenthood. Just not for me. The first time I spent a full day with my 2- and 5-year old niblings was the
    via RegularTeacher2
  • 08
    Font - ClownfishSoup · 1d We approached getting a dog the same as we did having kids. Are we able to care for dog/kid? Financially? Time wise? Are we all on board that that's what we want? OK, if we're sure this is what we want, then let's do it! Some people want dogs, some people want kids, some want both some want neither. You do what's right for you. 6 Reply 1 131 3 + ...
    via ClownfishSoup
  • 09
    Font - informallory · 1d Same lol. Everyone told me "getting a dog shows you what it'll be like to have kids" in a "you'll totally want a real baby soon" and it just totally made me realize how horrible babies sound lol 6 Reply 1 12 3 +
    via informallory
  • 10
    Font - zonababy1788 · 1d I've always been the one saying, "I will have kids." l've always wanted to be a mom. After getting my rescue, I'm not necessarily anti-kids...but damn, I don't think I'll be ready for a while. A good long while. I'm young still, early 20's, and there are peers of mine that are already on their second kid. No no and no, I'm so glad I got this perspective when I did because it was always in my plan to have kids by the time I was 26. And for while i wanted to rush it, find
    via zonababy1788
  • 11
    Font - MamaSquash8013 · 1d I have a dog and a kid. The dog was harder as a puppy than the kid was as an infant. Now the dog is 3 and the kid is 8. The dog is still more work. Just off the top of my head: 1. The kid can communicate wants and needs. 2. The kid can feed himself. 3. The kid uses the toilet when he needs to. 4. The kid doesn't like to shred paper towels all over the floor and drool on the couch. 6 Reply 1 46 3
    via MamaSquash8013
  • 12
    Font - cleganemama · 1d The thing about puppies is that they come out able to walk, eat stuff and don't have communication. Sorta like the toddler phase. You skip the newborn potato phase where you can leave a baby in their crib for a minute and they're right where you left them. Puppies are in the toddler "put everything in my mouth, eat it, chew it" can't leave them alone for a second and you still gotta potty train them. Lmao I get it. I always said working at a kennel prepared me for motherh
    via cleganemama
  • 13
    Font - CherryBlossomStorm · 1d Same. Parenting a single well behaved dog already has me at my limit. So much for kids for me, for now at least. Fantastic dose of perspective and reality for me, though :/ I Love you Dan 6 Reply 1 101 3 + ...
    via CherryBlossomStorm

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Babies thought-provoking dogs thoughtful thread kids interesting discussion parenting doggo training reddit thread Reddit
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