I read and re-read the posts- Caseysmom (me thinks) was trying to say she loves her pets as much as she loves her kids but not equally and that it is hard to explain. Never having given birth myself- I guess I would give her the benefit of the doubt that there is a special bond to those you carry for several months and expect to raise as decent humans for the next 18 years. , and then hopefully have a relationship with until you die. I think it was just one of those "kids are brats or not" and we all know nothing is black and white and it got out of hand- things. Is the way I read it- if I missed something- correct me! otherwise, rest easy!