A friend of mine is having her first child. They have a dog. I'm in rescue and worried that once the baby comes, she will find it too hard to "deal" with both and get rid of her dog. To try and head things off, I'm going to get her a book on how to properly introduce baby and dog. I'm hoping she reads it. I can't force her. It drives me batty when I see people post on CL or FB, trying to get rid of their dog, or worse, sell their dog because they had a baby. Yes, babies are important and require much more work and attention than dogs. But you had Fluffy first. Dogs are a lifetime commitment. Are you going to give away your first child when you have a second and it gets too hard? No.

I was at a friend's house recently, and a dog was visiting her. I was on the floor with the dog the entire time. I needed to love on her and pet her. Could feel my blood pressure dropping as I did so. My friends were asking me why I don't have a dog. I so wish I could have one. But I can't afford one any more, and I can't imagine working a dog into my schedule any more. I miss my dogs so much. But it's just not meant to be for me to get another one.

I had greyhounds for many years. They needed coats when we walked when the temperature got to be about 40 or so, otherwise they'd shiver, poor things. I bought jammies, too, because they are common in the greyhound community and I was supporting friends who made them, but my dogs were happier with blankets on their beds or sleeping with me. :) I used Pawz when there was ice and snow and salt on the sidewalks. These are basically balloons (same material and shape) that act as booties. Best things I ever bought. They went on and came off easy and worked like a charm, and my dogs didn't mind wearing them. Cheap, too. I never called my dogs my children, and I didn't think of them that way, either. I just did what I had to do. They were both retired racers, and I guess I just always felt honored to get to give them a warm, loving home and take care of them well.

I am more annoyed by people who leave their dogs outside 24/7 on a chain, than the ones who put sweaters and such on their dogs.

Some dogs do need clothing. Greyhounds for example, and other fine-skinned and close coated dogs. I have also had to use leather boots on one of my dogs because his claws kept splitting and bleeding when he was walked on pavement. Utilitarian reasons aside, who cares. Some people treat their dogs like their children. The dogs aren't suffering for it (unless someone lives in Florida and puts a sweater on a husky or something). Or not letting your dog exercise and carrying it around all the time...that bugs me.

I think my dogs are better than a lot of people. In fact I think my pet fish is better than a lot of people.

Its annoying when people think that animals dont have emotions. It isnt personifying them there are scientific studies. Dogs brains light up like ours when they see someone they love. Animals like monkeys mourn their dead. Emotions arent just for humans.

Hello. My name is XX and here is my confession. Walking around my house tonight I encountered some things that made me feel good. And they are (in random order, and not including the humans *and a large quantity of pinot grigio – not ashamed*) 1. My dad’s cameras and photographs: I was the youngest of six children and my dad was not the same person for me that he was for everyone else. He had suffered the loss of my mother and was a shell of his former self. But! When he was young he was very much into photography and took amazing photos of various places around the globe, being in the military. And I am lucky to have all of the photos and the cameras. I have them on display in my home. They are quite beautiful and vintage (1960’s). I look at them and I get a sense of who he really was- when he was young and happy and hopeful for a future for his family. And I’m happy….. but I’m sad at the same time because that is a man I never got to meet or know. 2. A photo of my kids: They are 2 and 6 in the photo and they are fast asleep in my bed, cuddling. It was summer and they were so tan and beautiful. It was <i>my</i> bed for the first time. I had just gone through my divorce and I remember when I took that photo I was feeling really hopeful for the future. That was a feeling I hadn't had in a while. It was like the three of us against the world and by God, we were gonna win. 3. A set of lamps from Korea: again, my dad. They are beautiful and when they came to me they needed a ton of restoration. DH and I spent hours and hours making them new again, and I love them. 4. My fireplace. I have worked so, SO effing hard in my life. And to me, a fireplace is a sign of affluence. And I deserve it. I make really good money (not by trump standards, but my own) and I have a nice warm home, a reliable vehicle, a freaking fireplace, and I don’t worry about my bills. If my daughter wants something, she usually gets it. I really wish I could say the same for when my son was growing up, but I think he wouldn't be the man he is today *awesome* if his life had been different. 5. My dog. Oh. My God. Do I love my little Boston Terrier dog. He is the sweetest cutest, I can’t even describe. He is my baby. I love him so much. We have two other dogs but they are not the same. My little baby puppy (he’s grown, but I still call him baby puppy) is so precious to me. He sleeps in my bed and hangs out with me whatever I do. He simply has to be with me. He has endeared himself to my DH I think just because I love him so much. Ok, I’m done. :)

I have a dog but am not a dog person. She gets lots of love from DH and the kids but honestly Cats are way less work and all around better pets IMO. Shes part of the family now but once her life is over thats it for dogs. Never getting suckered into this again.

I have a "friend" I've known for 12 years. We met at work and became fast friends, spending all of our free time together. I was MOH in her wedding 5 years ago. Things have changed in our lives, as they do, and we are not on the same paths. She is family oriented and having a baby in Feb, my fiance and I foster dogs and will not have children. It's definitely put a strain on our relationship. I missed her baby shower due to being out of town, so I dropped off a gift to her home. I had texted her beforehand to see if she'd be there and she wasn't going to be, but said to leave it on the back porch. I haven't so much as heard a peep from her since. I might not be the best friend ever, but this hurts. I'm accepting of the fact that things are changing and she may not agree with my lifestyle choices, but to have zero acknowledgement at all...just hurts. I can see this "friendship" is going down and I won't fight to keep it if she's not willing to do the same. Sad. I feel better saying it (typing it) out loud to myself. Maybe it's time to let go.