does it drive you crazy when people refer their pets as their kids?

[Dancing Fire]

i notice most couples w/o children refer their pets as their kids.

lunch time!!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I''ve actually never heard this (and I''ve been to the dog park hundreds of times). I only hear them referred to as "furkids" or "furbabies".

I''ve definitely heard people say "my dogs/cats are like my kid" and I even refer to my two male dogs as "my boys".

 

[NovemberBride]

Nope - doesn''t bother me at all since I do it myself. And it''s not just people without kids. I referred to my dog as my kid before I had my human kid and I still do - I have a dog son and a human daughter. In fact, the way we told our friends we were expecting was by having the puppy wear a shirt that said "I am going to be a big brother."

What really bothers me is people who treat their pets like their kids until they have kids and then they suddenly have no time to give the pet the love and affection they need and deserve. A pet is not a placeholder for a kid to be forgotten once you get the real thing. Of course my daughter is my first priority, but I still love my dog as well and take the time to play with him and give him affection every day, even if it means at the end of the day there is no time left for "me time."

 

[kenny]

Yeah, some people get so carried away with their dogs.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Nah. I thought of our dogs as our kids before we had a kid. Now the dog is just our dog

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/9/2010 3:17:58 PM
Author: kenny
Yeah, some people get so carried away with their dogs.

hahaha... I love seeing pics of your dogs Kenny.

 

[yssie]

Nope, doesn't bother me (why should it?), yes, I see it a lot. Our cats are our "furbabies".

The only thing that really annoys me are people trying to talk me into or out of whatever I want to call them, on either side of the debate.

 

[RaiKai]

While it does not "fit" for me, it does not drive me crazy if others do it.

I have had pets, and cared for them greatly, they were intelligent (well most of them were) and full of personality, and never call(ed) them or referred to them as my "kids" or even my "fur-kids". I just call them by their names (i.e. "Fluffy"), or refer to them as "my cat" or "my bunny". (however, if we eventually do have goats, I reserve the right to call the young ones my "kids"!)

I see the terms fur-babies and fur-kids a lot, which to me makes things a lot more clearer than just calling them "kids/babies". I guess they could be referring to a very hairy human child, but I do assume they mean a pet in those cases. I find it odd when someone goes on about their "kids/babies" and then I find out (or figure out) they are dogs/cats/goldfish once they start talking about having to spay or neuter them or something.

The only time it bothers me when someone really refers to their pets (or treats them) as kids is when I see clients far more concerned about their pets (or their "babies") than their human-kids during divorce proceedings. And it happens.

 

[dragonfly411]

It used to bother me, but I think I just never experienced the level of bond nor intelligence. My yorkie mix is like having a young child. She is demanding, spoiled, she likes to stretch, enjoys sleeping right on top of us, she talks (she will come and growl and bark until you ask her what, then take you to what she wants, or keep barking till she gets what she wants. It could be a treat, it could be a treat she can''t get to but knows is there, it could be to go outside, it could be the water bowl. Normally she takes us to whatever it is.), she plays, and taunts you, she nudges when she wants you to pay attention to her, she will sit softly by you when you are upset. She is so smart. So yes, I refer to her as my daughter.

The adopted dog I do refer to as one of the kids, but he doesn''t have nearly the intelligence level as her. He does have his own personality though. He''s very timid. VERY timid. He likes to play, but will only play DIRECTLY with me if he''s loose in a yard. He loves rawhide, and likes me to throw his stuffed monkey, and eats like a glutton.

 

[decodelighted]

I do it. But not in public probably. I call T my "baby doggie" or "baby dolly" and DH & I say "Aw T loves her Daddy" etc etc. Same for the cats but to a lesser extent probably -- because they are less "needy" than the pupcicle.

Her role in our life is "pampered little princess" & that''s that. We don''t plan on kids, but I''d always like to have a small doggie in *that type of role*. Its good to have a wee one to care for & play with & spoil -- but not all of us are cut out for and/or choose to have HUMAN babies.

I wonder why it would "drive people crazy"? Is the troublesome part the humanization of animals ... OR ... the "claim" on parenthood w/o going through all the travails of raising a human kid? Anyone who has a problem with it can kiss my ripe sweet ***.

 

[elrohwen]

I don't refer to the bunnies as my kids to others, but around the house I call them the "bunny children" and Otto, specifically, is my "bunny child".

Around other people, they're just "the bunnies".

It doesn't really bother me when other people do it, obviously because I do it myself!

eta: My parents call them the "grand-bunnies". Haha

 

[monarch64]

I must admit it sort of unnerved me when I read the "favorite kid" thread yesterday and saw that many of the posts started off something like, "I''m not a parent but I have pets and they are my babies." Really? Because I''m quite sure raising a human being is a bit different than providing an animal with food, shelter, love, and companionship. Just my opinion, and I''m not being hateful, I just don''t see a direct correlation between being a pet owner and being the parent of a human child. When people start nursing their puppies and kittens maybe I''ll feel differently.

For the record, I have a 3.5 year old beagle who is my favorite furry companion. She''s not my kid, though. Sometimes SO refers to me as "Mom, " as in, "Daisy, bring it to Mom" and if looks could kill...I shoot him my most evil death glare.

 

[charbie]

I love my dogs to bits and pieces, and my dogs are "my babies" right now. I never refer to them as my actual kids, and don''t think anyone would mistake that I was talking about one of them when referring to them. But they are a big part of my life and yes, I talk to them constantly. Usually its, "seriously dog, what are you doing?" While shaking my head bc one of them did something crazy.

Flame me, but sorry, not a fan of people saying, "I don''t need kids, I have my pets." Sure, they are important pieces of my family, but they don''t replace humans for me.

 

[TravelingGal]

I don''t care and it''s none of my business. People can call things/people/animals they love whatever they want. No, it''s not the same as real "parenthood" but so what? If it floats yer boat.......

 

[Liane]

I''d never call my pets "kids." I like my pets.

 

[yssie]

-

 

[charbie]

Date: 6/9/2010 3:54:38 PM
Author: monarch64
I must admit it sort of unnerved me when I read the ''favorite kid'' thread yesterday and saw that many of the posts started off something like, ''I''m not a parent but I have pets and they are my babies.'' Really? Because I''m quite sure raising a human being is a bit different than providing an animal with food, shelter, love, and companionship. Just my opinion, and I''m not being hateful, I just don''t see a direct correlation between being a pet owner and being the parent of a human child. When people start nursing their puppies and kittens maybe I''ll feel differently.

Amen, sista!

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 6/9/2010 4:00:29 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I don''t care and it''s none of my business. People can call things/people/animals they love whatever they want. No, it''s not the same as real ''parenthood'' but so what? If it floats yer boat.......

Yep, I''m floating in this "boat" with TG

 

[HollyS]

Just because your koi aren''t very cuddly, doesn''t mean the rest of us can''t treat our fur buddies as our babies.

 

[MissMina]

So I wasn''t supposed to put them on the census form ?

 

[Kaleigh]

Doesn''t bother me, but don''t know anyone that does this IRL...

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 6/9/2010 4:14:26 PM
Author: MissMina
So I wasn''t supposed to put them on the census form ?

Hahaha, this cracked me up. I have often thought about claiming them as "dependents"!

 

[Clio]

I might do the mental version of eyerolling when I hear or read it, but I wouldn''t say that it drives me crazy.

 

[Catmom]

Agree with TG. It doesn''t and it''s none of my business.

 

[waterlilly]

Date: 6/9/2010 3:54:38 PM
Author: monarch64
I must admit it sort of unnerved me when I read the ''favorite kid'' thread yesterday and saw that many of the posts started off something like, ''I''m not a parent but I have pets and they are my babies.'' Really? Because I''m quite sure raising a human being is a bit different than providing an animal with food, shelter, love, and companionship. Just my opinion, and I''m not being hateful, I just don''t see a direct correlation between being a pet owner and being the parent of a human child. When people start nursing their puppies and kittens maybe I''ll feel differently.


For the record, I have a 3.5 year old beagle who is my favorite furry companion. She''s not my kid, though. Sometimes SO refers to me as ''Mom, '' as in, ''Daisy, bring it to Mom'' and if looks could kill...I shoot him my most evil death glare.

You are obviously a different sort of pet owner then. You don''t get it because you don''t have a bond with your pet like those that call them their "babies" do. If someone doesn''t have children and has a very close bond with their pet, that is the closest thing to parenthood that they know - so freaking what?!

This is not directed at you specifically monarch - just a general statement to anyone that takes issue with it:
I don''t get the bond you have with your kid, you don''t get the bond I have with my dog, GET OVER IT. You might forget that all pet owners have other humans in their life - they know the difference between human bonds and pet bonds and certainly understand that if they had a child the love would be different - it doesn''t take a rocket scientist to know that.

Why are people so threatened by this? Are some parents so desperately in need of validation that this sort of thing actually upsets them?

For the record, I don''t refer to them as my kids, but I certainly say things like "my dogs are all the "kids" I want for now". And I love them immensely. Do I love them as much as I would love my own child? Of course not - I''m not an idiot. I don''t love them more than I love my parents or my siblings either, that certainly doesn''t mean my bond with or love for them isn''t something that has significant meaning in my life though.

Geez, how many times have I seen people on PS name their jewelry? Most people would probably morn for weeks if they lost their E-ring, but people have a problem with someone referring to a living breathing pet as a child?

 

[Autumnovember]

I refer to my dog as "my little angel" and "my girl"

 

[asscherisme]

Date: 6/9/2010 3:13:12 PM
Author: NovemberBride
Nope - doesn''t bother me at all since I do it myself. And it''s not just people without kids. I referred to my dog as my kid before I had my human kid and I still do - I have a dog son and a human daughter. In fact, the way we told our friends we were expecting was by having the puppy wear a shirt that said ''I am going to be a big brother.''

What really bothers me is people who treat their pets like their kids until they have kids and then they suddenly have no time to give the pet the love and affection they need and deserve. A pet is not a placeholder for a kid to be forgotten once you get the real thing. Of course my daughter is my first priority, but I still love my dog as well and take the time to play with him and give him affection every day, even if it means at the end of the day there is no time left for ''me time.''

I do have kids and it does not bother me. But when its people without kids doing it, it cracks me up and I admit thinking, if you think a dog/cat is like a kid, just wait until you have a baby!
And I totally agree novemberbride. I have wanted a dog forever and waited until after my kids were born and are not old enough that I have time and attention for a dog and now the dog not only gets my time and attention, but gets my children''s time and attention as well. And they are old enough to help me. Win/win for my puppy, myself, and our lucky dog who gets lots of love!

 

[honey22]

I call my two labs my kids all the time and if people don''t like it they can take a hike. I don''t pass judgement on what other people all their children so why should they have an opinion on what I call my doggies.

I guess some people just don''t understand the bond a human can have with an animal, and that''s ok if they don''t. I don''t get how people can have truly horrible little sh*ts as children and still adore them. Nuf said.

 

[Lynn B]

We have two human children and 2 Ragdoll cats we adore. We generally refer to them (in an appropriate context) as "the boys" or the "furkids".

I am amazed at the love and strength of the bond we feel for these animals. It can''t compete with the love we have for our children, certainly, but it can definitely hold its own!!!

My opinion? There''s plenty of room in this life for both. And I can truly see how having and loving pets might become a special kind of relationship if there are not (human) children in the equation. And I see nothing wrong with that! With so many wonderful, but homeless animals living in shelters or being put down, I am just always happy to see spoiled, adored, pampered pets with a family!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/9/2010 4:08:44 PM
Author: HollyS
Just because your koi aren''t very cuddly, doesn''t mean the rest of us can''t treat our fur buddies as our babies.

i heard it a million times on the koi forums..."time to feed the kids"

i mean if you can''t tell the difference b/t your wet pets and your kids then you have a big problem.