Baby of the Day?

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Hi Eudora, I think everyone on this post pretty well knows I'm in the twilight of my life and enjoying it with my dogs.
In my day if you didn't have children people looked down on you like you mean you don't want to produce a child in your image.
Thank goodness today we really do have a choice, we can have children or we can have pets or we can choose not to have anything.
One of my daughters is married, is 35 and chooses to have two Schnauzers and no kids.
I respect that decision. I thought the idea of having pet baby of the day was already brought up. Maybe not. I love reading these posts and knowing everyone can make up their own mind and that society can not put pressure on these young women to go against their own wishes.
Jackie

[Logan]

I don't remember the original topic that Sandra mentioned. But as the mother of a wonderful human girl, and many furry ones, I will tell you that I may not always understand, but always will respect the decisions of others and their aversion to "human" kids. And I feel the deepest sympathy for those who simply aren't able to have them. Everyone is different, and I'm all for people being able to decide for themselves whether to have children or not. And I fully support whatever scientific methods that allow people to be able to have a family they desire, as long as it is handled responsibly and for the right reasons. Don't even get me started on choosing a sex, etc. I do not agree with those measures.

This world is full of bad parents, parents of human kids and the furry ones, and thank goodness, there are more good ones than bad. It is unfortunate that we hear so much more about the bad ones. That's why I like to come here. Because each of you is here for the same reason I am. You love animals.

I am completely sure that I would NOT enjoy a Baby of the Day, unless it was a kitten, puppy or another infant animal. I am totally opposed to those "baby beauty pageants" and anything people do to flaunt their kids. I love my girl, without a doubt, and if my circumstances had been different, I'd have had a couple more. Each stage of their little lives is different, but so much fun. I loved cuddling my infant, but get a huge kick out of watching her play basketball, swim, etc. now.

Thanks for an insiteful topic. And for the freedom for each of us to be able to express our opinions and show respect for each other's opinion.

Logan

[thelmalu99]

I just saw this topic, and it happens to be one that I have very strong feelings about. I like children very much, but I prefer not to be around children who are not well behaved and polite. I don't blame the children at all; I blame the parents for the lack of discipline. I agree with Jackie, children should not be allowed to run around and scream in restaurants, laundromats, supermarkets(!) or any other inappropriate places. They need to be taught that certain behavior is for the playground only.
I worked in a children's clothing/furniture/toy store for seven years and saw my share of children who yelled at their parents, told them to shut up, had unbelieveable tantrums and sometimes even hit or kicked their parents. My mother would never have stood for that kind of behavior! Sometimes the parents would go ahead and buy them a toy just to get them to settle down! That's like rewarding them for misbehaving!No wonder the kids acted that way!
I am 30 years old and I am pretty sure that being a parent is not for me...and I think that's ok because not everyone has to be a parent. Some friends, family and co-workers are always asking when I plan to get married and have a child. The fact is, I don't know when or if ever. It is possible that I will change my mind later on, but for now I just don't feel that it's for me.
Give me my pets any day!
I don't think that a baby of the day website would hold my interest for too long, but I have been spending a lot of time online looking for a shelter to adopt a new kitty from!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

I love human babies; I think they are the sweetest little things! But, well... to me, most of them look a lot alike, especially when they are really young, so Baby of the Day wouldn't be too exciting! Pets, on the other hand, look different and act dfferent. The bios on Baby of the Day wouldn't be very different: "My baby ejoys napping and eating and crying." Babies can't really do much else! Don't me wrong, I love babies! I guess I can't explain why Baby of the Day wouldn't interest me... oh well... you all know what I'm trying to say

This is my thoughts exactly! I love babies, and want to go through the process of bearing and delivering my own children someday sooner rather than later. I must have a strong mommy drive to go along with my doggie love, because I would not know who to coddle first if I was approached by someone with both a baby and a puppy. I have to say though, I think the puppy would hold my attention longer. a dog, at the same age as a baby, has more personality than the baby! Even an eight week old pup is full of character!
On a related note, my husband and I get alot of criticism because we have rescued four dogs and we dedicate alot of time and energy to rescue groups and other dog-related projects. People will ask us why we don't direct more of our time towards human-related charities.
I guess I feel that God put us all here, human and animal, and we all have to look out for each other. Man domesticated dog thousands of years ago, and I feel that it is our duty as a society to care for these domesticated animals that we have created! Anyhow, that it just my two cents...
(And, someday, we hope to "rescue" humans too - through adopting children )

[thelmalu99]

Originally posted by 3-greys-and-a-mutt:


On a related note, my husband and I get alot of criticism because we have rescued four dogs and we dedicate alot of time and energy to rescue groups and other dog-related projects. People will ask us why we don't direct more of our time towards human-related charities.

LOL, you know what? Everytime I watch one of those game shows when celebrities are on playing for their favorite charities, I always root for the celebrity who's playing for an animal charity. It's not that I don't care about people, I just think that there are a lot more people giving to human-related charities than to animal-related ones. Not enough people in this world understand that animals deserve our love and respect too.

[4 feline house]

I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, but one of the reasons I tend to give to animal charities instead of people (I give to both when my stretched budget allows, but admit more goes to the animals) is becuase in alot of cases - I KNOW NOT ALL - the human's problems are brought on by themselves. I help homeless people in whatever small ways I can (food drives, unused clothing, next weekend I'm helping to paint the local emergency charity's new building) but as I'm doing it, it's always in the back of my mind that alot - NOT ALL I KNOW - of these people are homeless because of their choice to indulge in drugs, alcohol, crime, etc. I'm not being judgemental - none of us are perfect - but that thought is still there. I know there are other causes of homelessness - illness, forced unemployment, spousal abuse or abandonment, but if you work in homeless ministry, you know that the major reasons are crime, alcohol and drug abuse.

However, I have never heard of a cat getting kicked out because it couldn't pay the rent because the money was all going to catnip. I have never heard of a dog's wife and kids living on the street because he's locked up for burglary. I have yet to see a ferret passed out on the sidewalk with an empty liquor bottle in his paw.

We domesticated these animals, who are sinless, and took away their natural population growth limits, yet did not adequately take steps to impose artificial limits - neutering and spaying. Now they are paying for our sins of selfishness, procrastination, and just plain meanness in alot of cases. The animals need more help because collectively they are more helpless. Furthermore, they can't very well get jobs and start running their own homeless shelters. They can't get driver's licenses and start van pools to get everyone to the vet for shots and spays and neuters.

Anyway, I just realized I'm way off topic, so I'll get off my soapbox now.

[TheAntiPam]

This is such an interesting discussion, thanks all!

A few years ago, I lived in a house with friends that had a baby (human), and I had 2 cats. It never ceased to amaze me how I always noticed the smell of the diaper pail, while they kept commenting on the smell of the litterbox. It just depends on if it is YOUR baby!

We should honor each other for giving love, not judge each other for who/what we love.

And, we should keep the litterboxes clean!

[Pam]

Bridget you make a good point. Dogs and cats are way ahead of their human counterparts in the activity area at a much younger age. Human babies don't do very much at all early on. Also, lots of parents have such a tendency to brag to the point of boredom. It is almost painful sometimes to have to sit and listen to some parents ramble on and on about their little one's accomplishments. While us pet owners may do a little bragging of our own, we don't hesitate to tell those "nawtee dog" tales and report on our cats' mischevious antics and often those are the stories that make me smile the most!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Pam, you made a very good point there, after listening politely about how many bottles they take in a day, how many times they smiled, when they go back to the doctor, etc it gets a little boring. On the other hand I love to listen to the stories of all our pets here, it is something different every day and most are amusing. Maybe when you get older after having your own kids grown up and starting over in a way with your grandkids, babysitting, in my case I took care of one Grandson from day one while his parents worked and even in high school comes over for his afternoon snack, your ready for something new in your life. On a more amusing note, my husband said to me one day "Jackie, look around, all we have are photos of our dogs on the walls", I said "No Don, there is one up there of the Grankids alltogether in this room".

[gini]

Yesterday, they had a poll on CNN. Do we think children are more spoiled today than they were ten years ago? I have forgotten the percentage - but it was something like 89% agreed.

But it made me think about our pets. Are they more spoiled today than they were ten years ago. And then I started thinking about all of the types of food available (at prices beyond description) - lite, senior, kitten, puppy etc. And ten years ago did we see so many large pet shops with more pet toys than Toys R Us. And haven't we made giant strides in the veterinarian department.

My niece is training her pit bull/terrior puppy. Her final test was to be in a large pet shop among all of the people, children, toys and other pets - and sit - stay. Bella passed with flying colors. Do you think you could get a small child to do that for very long? But pets are different because they really do want to please you - and get the treat for good behavior.

At my small niece's school - they have a board and you get a big check mark for being caught - "being good" When you get so many check marks - you get to choose a prize. I thought that was a clever approach.

[AdoreMyDogs]

In the past 10 years I think dogs are thought of more as family members, as opposed to just family pets. I do know that there are big advances in dog nutrition, and medical care. I think nowadays dogs are charished more and included in day trips and vacations far more often, making more and more hotels and B&B's welcome doggie travelers with open paws . I like it

As for a baby of the day website....it would be cute at first but I would get bored with it quickly I think. I think babies are great, and at some point I will be ready to have a family of my own, but I think dog pictures are more fun and interesting to share then baby pictures. Baby pictures seem like something that family members love to share among each other, while dog pictures could be shared and enjoyed by people whom you have no relation to whatsoever from all around the world. Now pictues of dogs with babies...those are the PERFECT pictures That pic of the basset licking that beautiful baby boy's face lovingly...that is priceless, and I wouldn't mind visiting a site that had pics of dogs with babies or kids together

[4 feline house]

Well, it's not exactly baby of the day, but.... http://www.babiesonline.com/

I wonder what the responses would be if someone posted a topic "what if it was pets on line.com?" on their message board?

[aly]

Awww, I think that baby site is CUTE.

I think Baby of the Day might be more fun than you guys think. There are a ton of different poses and outfits possible. It would be especially cute to include toddlers. I just have to post this pic of my cousin's darling baby, Kali.

[gini]

Oh Oh, Aly, now you have done it. Your cousin's baby is adorable!

Will opinions change? Karen and Paul may have to add - Baby of the Day - but only if there is a picture of a pet with the child.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Aly, your cousin's baby is adorable no doubt about that, I guess you could pose them with different props to make them look different, but I will have to stick with dogs, look how many different dogs there are, I have two Schnauzers and I have just begun to see how many dogs I have never even heard of before,
and I want to see what they look like. I look at Daisy who is a pure bred Schnauzer and I realize that she most likely came from an Affenpinscher and a Poodle and either the Standard or Giant Schnauzer. Look at the mixed breed dogs, many mixes and so beautiful. We can look at dogs for the rest of our lives and they will all be different.
For instance I never knew there were so many different cats until I joined this site, pets for that matter too.. No I think I will stick with Pet of the Day, Cat of the Day and Dog of the Day.
Jackie