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I don't know the reason that people are buying pets instead of children more now. I am a father of two children (a boy and girl) and love them very much. Don't have pets, and don't want any. It's enough to deal with our children!! heheh
I can understand the pope saying that because God says to procreate and have children if you can - and they are a blessing to the parents (hopefully - God willing!).
Personally, I don't understand how one could substitute an animal/pet instead of having a baby/child. A pet is like a baby/child that never grows up and I don't see the advantage in that. Also a pet can't travel with you like your own child and one needs to find a solution what to do with it when one goes out of town.
Despite what many might believe, especially those with children, not everyone is destined to find a mate, to raise children.
I'm one of those people. It is as if when they were passing out the urge to continue the species, I was not in line that day.
But that does not mean I am without feeling, I just see it in a different way. I believe in Stewardship and see my taking care of animals, if on a limited basis, as part of that.
My wife had 2 teens when we got married. Lets just say, they broke me for wanting kids. We currently have 3 dogs and tell you the truth, I would much rather have them than any kids.
A pet is like a baby/child that never grows up and I don't see the advantage in that. Also a pet can't travel with you like your own child and one needs to find a solution what to do with it when one goes out of town.
Correction. Pets actually do grow up. Think of wild animals and their young. Animals let go of their offspring.
It's human pet owners that insist on treating animals like eternal babies. It's not the animals, it's the humans.
Humans choose pets because they want to exercise power and control over another life. You can't control humans like that. Your human children will have a mind of their own and will grow up and leave the home.
Personally, I don't understand how one could substitute an animal/pet instead of having a baby/child. A pet is like a baby/child that never grows up and I don't see the advantage in that. Also a pet can't travel with you like your own child and one needs to find a solution what to do with it when one goes out of town.
A pet isn't a substitute. A pet serves a different purpose than a child. Pets fulfill a desire for friendship; a child fulfills the desire for procreation. And children don't grow up until the pet is so old it passes away, so that argument is moot. Besides that, pets CAN travel with you on your vacation. There are pet friendly hotels, you can take them camping, in your RV, on an airplane, most anywhere you vacation. And boarding a pet is far cheaper than hiring a babysitter.
I always thought I was going to raise dogs. I love dogs! I never saw myself as a mother as I was growing up. Now I have kids. I love kids now. I STILL want a dog! Two even! I just can't afford one at this time, but I'll never get over wanting a dog.
A dog may have at one point been a substitute for a child for me, but now I'd like one to add to the family. I've always had dogs. I can't imagine my life without one. My last two passed away (old age complications) and I have to wait until I can get a new one. Believe me, it's hard to do!
When someone is unable to have children, it's not uncommon for them to get a pet as a substitute. At that point, it's the next best thing. The love for a pet is often very similar to the love for a child. They need you as a child would. They look for you for attention and to keep them healthy and kiss their booboos as a child would. They don't grow up and outgrow their parents as children do, which to some people, that's the best part of owning a pet! Whatever the reason for someone to get a pet it's not right for anyone to judge the person for it. I don't agree with anyone that owns a pet as a social status thing. A pet is not furniture or a houseplant, but I'm also not saying everyone needs to think of their pet as equals to their own child/would be child. Some people can't or won't. There are some people that simply are not compatible with another child OR pet in their house and a houseplant is all the companionship they require. Whatever the reason, it's personal.
While I may sometimes joke about "my kids," a dog is not a child. I do not have dogs because I secretly long for children. I have dogs because I enjoy working with them and the rewards that come with building a relationship with them. In fact, among the serious dog people I know, no one is secretly longing for a child and using the dog as a replacement. My desire (or rather my lack thereof) is completely separate from my desire to have a dog.
Dogs are our evolutionary puzzle pieces. Our species are intertwined. That fascinates and delights me, and I do not feel as if my life is complete unless I have at least one in my life.
Moreover, consider this - a dog represents a mostly private relationship. When your dog dies, you generally grieve alone. A child is not a mostly private relationship unless you are completely dysfunctional - you are (or should be) raising them not to be your lifelong companion but a productive and functional citizen of the world. When a human dies, their community grieves.
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