'You can't keep your dog'

[JenBKR]

I haven't been around too much lately, work has been so busy I can't keep up. But I need to vent about something, and I know that this is just the place

As you may know, I'll be having a baby in about three months. It's becoming pretty obvious that I am pregnant since I'm really showing now. In talking to people, some I know well and some not so well, I have mentioned that I have a dog. I have been getting asked what we are going to do about the dog when the baby gets here, and when they find out we are keeping him I get some strange responses. People have been telling me 'you can't keep that dog! He might hurt the baby!' and things like that. People are really astonished that we would have a large german shepherd in the house with a newborn. Many of these people have never even met Roscoe. I'm at a loss how to respond. Roscoe may be big, but he's never been aggressive. Why would I give him up? My only concern with him is that he gets so excited sometimes that he does what I call 'jumpies' around the room, and he might knock into the bassinette or something. But we have been working with him, and he's gotten a lot better. People just amaze me with how rude they can be. Anyway, sorry for the long rant just need a vent!

[caseysmom]

I had a large shepherd mix when both my girls were babies, luckily I had no idiots say anything like that to me. My gypsey was gentle as could be with the dogs, they even got pony rides on her when they were toddlers.

You have to get a thick skin when you are pregnant you will get some wierd advice

[pitc9]

Some people are so clueless!!
The next time someone asks you that you should respond with:

You: Do you have children?
Stupid person: Yes!
You: Would you get rid of them if you were going to have another child?

[Jessika]

My parents had a large shepherd mix when I was a baby, and again when my youngest sister was born nearly 10 years later.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with having a dog and a newborn at the same time.

I think these people are just ignorant to the issue of training their dog. I think they assume or listen to stories on the news of babies being hurt or mauled by large dogs, when in most cases, the infant and dogs were both left unsupervised which is HIGHLY discouraged by me anyway until your child is older and your dog(s) get used to having an infant around.

I love my two dogs and trust them and know they would never harm anything with foul intentions. But they are dogs, and they do have instincts. Would I give them up when I decide to have children?? NO WAY!!! But I would make extra precautions to not leave them unsupervised with one another, and I would introduce the infant to them in the same way I would introduce another cat or dog. Supervised, and slowly.

These people just don't understand that some dogs are well-behaved and trained properly. They are also set in the old mind set. It's like an old wive's tale to have to give the dog up once you have a baby because the dog will become "jealous" and harm the baby. It's ridiculous and you and I both know that isn't true but unfortunately a majority of the population believes this so... lol

[JenBKR]

My parents had a large shepherd mix when I was a baby, and again when my youngest sister was born nearly 10 years later.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with having a dog and a newborn at the same time.

I think these people are just ignorant to the issue of training their dog. I think they assume or listen to stories on the news of babies being hurt or mauled by large dogs, when in most cases, the infant and dogs were both left unsupervised which is HIGHLY discouraged by me anyway until your child is older and your dog(s) get used to having an infant around.

I love my two dogs and trust them and know they would never harm anything with foul intentions. But they are dogs, and they do have instincts. Would I give them up when I decide to have children?? NO WAY!!! But I would make extra precautions to not leave them unsupervised with one another, and I would introduce the infant to them in the same way I would introduce another cat or dog. Supervised, and slowly.

These people just don't understand that some dogs are well-behaved and trained properly. They are also set in the old mind set. It's like an old wive's tale to have to give the dog up once you have a baby because the dog will become "jealous" and harm the baby. It's ridiculous and you and I both know that isn't true but unfortunately a majority of the population believes this so... lol

Sad that people still automatically believe that. Believe me, I wouldn't even dream of leaving Roscoe and the baby unsupervised. I will be taking extra precautions, and have already gotten a lot of ideas.

[JenBKR]

You: Do you have children?
Stupid person: Yes!
You: Would you get rid of them if you were going to have another child?

I love it - I think I will have to try that one

[Trinityagain]

And these are probably the same people who would tell you to get rid of your cat(s) because they will steal the baby's breath...I used to work with someone who ACTUALLY believed that!

We had dogs the entire time I was growing up, including a fabulous German Shepard named Babe and there was never any trouble with any of them....and I almost forgot. My mother in law used to raise Dobermans and to my knowledge no real issues there either!

Sometimes I really wonder about people...

Congratulations on the coming event!!!!

[JenBKR]

And these are probably the same people who would tell you to get rid of your cat(s) because they will steal the baby's breath...I used to work with someone who ACTUALLY believed that!

I did have a few people mention that but it seems that more people are concerned about the dog. I am surprised to hear how many pets are given up when a baby comes along

[lvpets2002]

I Love Your Response pitc9.. Good Lordy some people .. Keep your big babie Roscoe.. Roscoe will be the best Guardian & Protecter this new wittle one could ever even imagine..

Some people are so clueless!!
The next time someone asks you that you should respond with:

You: Do you have children?
Stupid person: Yes!
You: Would you get rid of them if you were going to have another child?

[JenBKR]

I Love Your Response pitc9.. Good Lordy some people .. Keep your big babie Roscoe.. Roscoe will be the best Guardian & Protecter this new wittle one could ever even imagine..

Yes he will! I think he's going to make sure nothing happens to baby

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

OMG, some people should better keep their mouths shut !!! They have absolutely NO right to interfere (or judge) with other people's lifes

Don't listen to them, Jenneke; just think about how your little Tye will come into your family in less than 3 months. He will make you and Shawn sooooooo happy!

[JenBKR]

OMG, some people should better keep their mouths shut !!! They have absolutely NO right to interfere (or judge) with other people's lifes

Don't listen to them, Jenneke; just think about how your little Tye will come into your family in less than 3 months. He will make you and Shawn sooooooo happy!

Thank you Lutje! You're right, people don't really have the right to interfere like that. It can be so frustrating. I guess I just have to ignore it.

[Karen]

Say what my brother (Lady's Human) said when LOH was pregnant with their first child.

"Are you kidding? Dogs and children, children and dogs - they go together. In fact, if we DIDN'T have a dog, I'd think about getting one right now!"

[lute]

It's understandable why you are upset. If I ever have a child I plan on keeping all my dogs, and chickens and whatever else I have. Do the people that tell you you must get rid of the dog because he "might" hurt the baby ever heard of countless stories of dogs saving their children. A friend of mine has a 6month old and a 9 month old Doberman puppy. He is HUGE! *80 lbs of HUGE! The dog is protective of the baby and wouldn't dream of hurting her.

[NicoleLJ]

I wrote an article about just this thing. After working for so long in rescues one of the number one reasons for giving up the dog was the new baby. It sickened me. God gives us 9 months to not only prepare ourselves for the new arrival but also everyone else including the pets. So I wrote a training article for people expecting babies that also have dogs in the hopes of getting people to keep their family member instead of giving them up. Here it is:

http://giftofgracekennels.com/id56.html

It is titled "Baby? Aren't I The Baby? ©" and has been published several times now in various magazines. I have gotten a great response form it. Most from people who had actually been considering giving up their dog since they were expecting. So I know it has saved many four footed lives already.

Take a look and maybe you can show your friends the article and show them that there are things you can do to help insure happiness for all without having to give someone up.
Nicole & Sheena & Puppies