I don't have kids. I have dogs. Let me say for the record: I DO NOT believe my dogs are my kids. I'm not their "mom," I don't think of them as kids with fur. I love them so much because they are dogs. Canines. Non-humans.
Ok, now that we're clear on that, let me tell you why I think puppies are easier than kids.
- Puppies want only three things: food and water, sleep, and access to the grass for bathroom breaks. That's it.
- Puppies are so easily comforted and quieted. The pup is crying? It's for one of these reasons: lonely, scared, hungry, or gotta go (to the bathroom). Fixing the crying is SO easy, and it's so easy to figure out what the heck they want.
- You can CRATE a puppy. Legally! And it's encouraged. This, alone, is the very best thing about raising a puppy vs. raising a kid.
- Puppies grow into dogs really quickly. They are "kids" for only about 8 months or so. And "teenagers" for only a few months after that. Then they're laid back and easy.
- Puppy Breath! Need I say more?! Kids can projectile vomit into your face before you even know it's happening. But the worst (best, I think) thing that'll happen if you hold a puppy up to your face? You get puppy kisses that are full of puppy breath! I'll take puppy breath over vomit any day.
There you have it. And for all you parents out there: relax. I know you love your kids. And you should. I'm not saying puppies are better than kids, just easier. From my vantage point, at least.
I wouldn’t have the patience to deal with a human growing up for 18 years that’s for sure. Greta list! Thanks for joining in the challenge!
I love this post! The name of my blog is based on my stock answer when people ask when I’m having kids, so this one’s right up my alley. 🙂
Alfie, you rule! 🙂
Dawn, thanks for the comment. Yeah, I’m with you — I’m happy to have the dogs. I think 18+ years of kids would kill me. 😉
Yes, I love your blog name! I was a little tentative about posting this, thinking maybe some parents would take it the wrong way, but I threw caution to the wind and just did it! 🙂
I love that you stated that you don’t think of your dogs as your children. So many people think that those of us who don’t have children are sublimating our maternal/paternal instincts into caring for dogs.
Children are wonderful. I love them even though I chose not to have my own.
And dogs are wonderful. They are unique creatures and we are blessed to share our lives so closely with an entirely different species.
Got here from the link on the WantMorePuppies blog. I’ve noticed that many (I’d most) of the dog bloggers I’ve read are childless. I’ve been considering a post on why I DO have kids, in a similar spirit to your post, and if I get around to it, I’ll link to this post.
I’m a firm believer that people who don’t want kids shouldn’t have ’em, and I never try to convince them otherwise. You’re right– kids are harder than dogs, and only them that wants ’em should have ’em. There are enough messed-up people in the world, and it’s the bad parents what mess ’em up.
I completely agree with you “One Person’s View,” and thanks for taking the time to comment. I don’t think kids are bad, they’re just not for me. I knew when I was 15 that I didn’t want kids, and I’ve never wavered. People finally got tired of telling me “You’ll change your mind when you get older,” now that I’m 43! 😉
Hello 🙂
I came upon your blog post through the 31DBB.
“Puppies want only three things: food and water, sleep, and access to the grass for bathroom breaks. That’s it. ”
When I read that I counted four: Food, water, sleep, grass. I realized after that you were counting food and water as one. I know it’s a minor thing, but I thought I’d leave a comment just to let you know what I noticed.
Also your list starts with 2. I think you forgot to write 1. in front of your first point.
Feel free to delete this comment since it’s not adding to discussion, it’s merely a suggestion.
Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by. Yes, food and water is counted as one — pups (and us!) can’t get by without it! The #1 is there, but it’s hidden behind the actual photo. I can see it when I go in to edit mode (but I don’t want to edit the post). The number will show up depending on what size screen you have.
Those were the things you noticed that weren’t quite right, did you notice anything you did like? In clicker training, we’re always paying the most attention to things that we like, so I’m always looking for things that people like. I like to write about things that people want to hear about.
Love the puppy breath!! Great list 🙂
thank you for the validation . . . thinking I was the ONLY one out here that knew at 15 “no children for me!” I, also, did not listen to the “you’ll change your mind” chorus – I just knew and stayed true
I have had so many happy pups, mostly rescued, and all terrific
thanks for the post !
DeeDee in FLA
My mother is always telling me that I must be preparing for children since I keep bringing home puppies (I’ve been raising guide dog puppies for the past 5 years). I always tell her puppies are way easier than children and that’s when I bring up your point #3 “You Can Crate A Puppy” I like point #4 too…I always feel like as soon as my puppy is just about perfect it’s time to return him to the school.