Quote Originally Posted by Catherinedana View Post
Maybe more like, "How can you live in a house with all those kids?" rather than dogs, cats or birds!!!!

MY kids go to sleep when it gets dark and are quiet all night!
MY kids get put in a cage with a door for a time-out when they misbehave!
MY kids don't beg me for things whenever I go into a store.
MY kids love me unconditionally no matter what I look like, how much money I have or what kind of car I drive and do not expect to be driven by limosine to the school prom.

OK - 'nough said.
Not trying to start a fight, really ... but I have to say I was a little surprised and disappointed by this post. This is a thread about the rude and hurtful things others have said to us, and IMO, this post is both of those things.

It is indeed rude and hurtful when someone says derogatory things about our dogs, cats, birds, etc. I can empathise with pet owners who do not have children, having to field rude questions about things that are none of their business. However, is it not exactly the same thing to ridicule and put down people who have children simply because you chose not to have them?

I don't own birds or cats, but I am interested in others' birds and cats, and happy for them because they have something they love. I wouldn't criticize you, or tell you all the reasons my dogs/children/snakes are better than your cats/rabbits/birds. Respect and empathy is a two-way street.

Just seems to be a case of the pot calling the kettle black. "It's rude when people say derogartory things about my birds/dogs/cats, but I feel no qualms about saying derogatory things about their children."