I actually don’t like the term pet parent or fur baby. I own a pet. I had dogs when I was a little kid, the dogs were loved and cared for but never thought of as children. I now share a dog with another family member, my first time having a pet as an adult. Btw, I recommend dog sharing if you can, it makes it easier for backup care.
I never had children of my own. I have several family members who I have been close to as they grew up. It’s not the same, I know. Having a pet gave me responsibility and commitment, different from other responsibilities in my life. I am responsible for feeding and caring for this 4-legged creature. I need to make sure that I am not gone from the house for too long. I worry when she doesn’t eat, sleep or poop. I buy things for her on vacation and take a million pictures of her. I have parental responsibilities. It’s not the same, I know.
Raising humans is getting them ready for the outside world. It’s raising outstanding members of society. Making decisions on their behalf and then figuring out how much decision making to give them. We try to get our pets to behave (still working on that with mine), but we never train them to be outstanding members of society. We teach children and train pet.
While I may never know the feeling of raising children I know the feeling of unconditional love. I know how much I love the children in my life as well as my dog. My guess is that having children is that feeling but exponentially more.
Who’s a good boy?
Introverted runner and other stuff 