BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Furbabies

Your input is welcome but next time please post it in the thread that is pertinent to what you are posting. This one is about pets not children. Additionally, since none of us wants children and many of us don't even like them I think it is safe to say that none of us use pets to replace children. As a pet owner yourself I am sure you understand how people feel about their pets, regardless of if they have kids or not. Lastly,



did you miss the part in the whole MNK forum where all of us stated we are not going to have kids?

"Guess you won't know till you have your own"


banging head against wall
<img src="/images/graemlins/wall.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wall.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wall.gif" alt="" />

"I think it is safe to say that none of us use pets to replace children."

That would be pathetic.

I really can't believe how stupid some parents are. <img src="/images/graemlins/wall.gif" alt="" />

cherylcrochets-
Please do not presume to tell me about teaching children well. I have devoted my career to it because most parents don't. Furthermore, I don't believe I ever used the word ALL when referring to things kids do to their parents. The use of exclusive terms is an overly simplistic, generalized approach that is not useful in discussing any complex topic. Oh and by the way- There will be no WHEN for me in terms of having children. I have made my choice and you have made yours. So find a nice kid friendly forum for yourself. Also- I was only referring to my pets...Lighten up!

CF Friends-
Thanks for sticking up for me. You are so right. This forum is not for people who choose to make children a part of their lives. We are here to support one another not tear each other down. I appreciate your sound reasoning and your firm way of emphasizing what this forum is about. THANKS!

Well, this seems as good a place to say hello as any, as I have 4 dogs (3 and a half collies, half a black lab), 2 cats and many chickens. No kids - sort of by choice, but then again, not entirely so (couldn't have 'em if I tried, and am now 46 so all options gone!). Just joined this forum, as I wanted to chat to other child-free people - think I'm having a bit of a mid-life crisis now it's finally registered that I won't be having children! Funny how you don't want 'em until you can't have 'em - and I think half my current angst is imaginary - now it's not a choice it's different!

Anyway, nice to 'meet' you all - I'm Jo, I live in Ireland (though am English) am married to Carl (who has a daughter - estranged - from a previous marriage), am 46 as mentioned above, and am an animal nut. Being beaten up by our mega-cat, Sinbad, as I type.

Jo

I have 3 cats and an Akita who is a Service Animal(she detects seizures, even when mine are catatonic or migraines). My cats are an 8 yr old Norwegian Forest Cat, black fluffy male named Magick, 4 yr old gray tabby/Egyptian Mau female named Mystick Grace (Myssi), and a 4 1/2 yr old Odd-Eye White Domestic male named Merlin. My dog is a beautiful 8 yr old Ginger with a Black Mask and dimples, and white trim on her chest and toes named Tsunami Samantha or Samma for short.
They do not take the place of children for me. I love them way more than I have ever loved any child. They do have many things in common with human children, but for the most part they are guileless (and stay that way) and much smarter than humans. I will grieve deeply when they go, but the advantage is that they will not outlive me. They are my family, but they are the animal component of my family, not a child substitute. way better than children.
RavynG

nice to meet you DarkGinger--lovely screen name...makes me think of an exotic ale or something! My husband and I would love to retire in Ireland. We currently live in central Virginia about 150 miles from DC, but we both grew up military and traveled. He was born in Japan and lived in Germany for a while too.
I might sound in some of my posts as if i hate children and never intended to have any--but it was not like that. I did want them until I was in my late 20's and dealing with a genetic disease--Prophyria. So it was not my choice at first and it was uncomfortable until it became my choice. This is what you need to do for yourself--you need to make it your choice. Get it out of your system so to speak. Spend some intense shocker time with kids--volunteer for a day-care or play-school or even host a kids party or something for friends and relatives. Enjoy them--don't get me wrong. But enjoy the peace and freedom you will have after you send them all home too. There will be a time when all of a sudden you realize--I CAN'T have a baby...but it is OK!
And you don't have to be maternal to be a care-giver! I read a post from a lady on here who is CF and is a pediatric nurse! wow--that would really take some courage! Perhaps you can find something to do at Hospital or a Hospice with children. Or better yet--work with animals! LOL
anyway, this is the first I have posted today too--so Happy Birthday to Us! My Myssi just had her 4th birthday on my 42nd. August 2. she got a teaspoonful of grated parmesan cheese---she is one of those cats who likes the stinky stuff--sticks her head in my husband's workboots!
RavynG

This is for all you MNK, a friend sent me this e-mail, he's a confirmed bachelor-for-life w/ one kitty; and I thought this was cute & y'all would get a kick out of it.

Dear Beloved Pets:

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, bark, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered.

Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To return the kindness of your obedience, my dear pets, I have posted the following on our front door so visitors to our home know what the rules are here:

Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About Our Pets

1. They live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted children who are short, hairy and walk on all fours. Although they don't speak clearly, they communicate extremely well, especially my Dogs.

5. Dogs and cats are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called (this does not apply to cats), never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, and don't need a gazillion dollars for college. Also, if they get pregnant,
you can sell the children!

I love it!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Omg, so cute!! I love all the pictures!

I have two miniature Dachshunds... They are my pride and joy...

Here are my weens' dogster pages:

My Faust
My Mathilda