Did your love for your dog change after baby?

[Anonymous]

Did your feelings towards your dog change after baby?

[Anonymous]

Yeah! Wonder now if he could be rehomed or basically put to sleep. A SN rescue dog who is a pain.

[Anonymous]

No, not at all. We still love and like having our dog. Love is not a finite resource.

[Anonymous]

Cats but - not after the first, yes after the second. They really dropped in priority and seemed like much more of a nuisance after #2.

Still love them and they’re well cared for, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

No. We actually made sure to give her more love and attention so she wouldn't feel replaced. She loves our kids, and I think that's a big part of why.

[Anonymous]

we had two that we got 8 years prior to the baby. They were the center. Then they weren't. Didn't love them less, but they had a lot less of our attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we had two that we got 8 years prior to the baby. They were the center. Then they weren't. Didn't love them less, but they had a lot less of our attention.

+1. They moved lower on the priority list, though were and are still darling puppy wuppies to us and our kids. We are all animal lovers, so our pets get plenty of love and snuggles, though fewer trips to the dog park and weekly teeth cleanings. It makes a difference I think that our dogs were middle aged when we had kids, and senior dogs now. So a walk around the block is plenty and can be deferred until later when kids need something first. I think pets start to feel like a nuisance after kids when they're younger/high energy and compete for time and attention with kids because they NEED IT NOW or will start destroying the house, etc. Or if they become aggressive or otherwise have trouble getting along with the kids. But our dogs, luckily, love babies and kids, and accepted their new human pack members with enthusiasm, so it's hard not to feel grateful and appreciative back to them for all of the love they give.

[Anonymous]

By the time our children came along our dog was already on the older side and tbh didn't really want or need as much attention from us. We look back and think she was happy for the break Yes of course we still took care of her and we would spend time with her but she was far more content in old age napping a lot of the time. She was happy to just be in the same room and that the kids would play with her on occasion but as an older dog she just wanted to hang out where we were as opposed to when she was younger and had to sit right on top of us.

[Anonymous]

Nothing changed in our love for our dog. He was 3 when our youngest came along, and he's such an important part of our family. We're getting another dog in a few months. Two dogs, two kids. They all bring us joy

[Anonymous]

Less attention but definitely not less love. We incorporate her into "helping" with the baby - watching the baby play, licking her feet when she cries, etc. She's a goldendoodle and a big people pleaser and just wants to be involved.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It's not really about the dog being difficult -- a lot of my focus and, frankly, anxiety, transferred to my kids. So right off the bat, yes, I loved the dog differently. Less intensely.

Then on top of that, my dog (adopted as an adult and fairly neurotic) just made everything harder. For example, we had an elaborate routine to calm her before leaving the house -- not something you need when trying to get small kids out the door! I'm not proud of it but I used to quietly hate her. Those were rough years.

Now it's 10 years later and she's a sweet senior dog. I have loved watching my kids grow up with her and love her. However, carrying her up the stairs and dealing with her accidents and other issues is wearing. I have already told my family we won't get another dog when she passes.

[Anonymous]

absolutely.

[Anonymous]

No, it increased. Had twins and was feeding around the clock. Dog would wake up for each feeding and sit next to me. I loved his company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it increased. Had twins and was feeding around the clock. Dog would wake up for each feeding and sit next to me. I loved his company.

+1. Same here down to the twins. Love him so much we got another (puppy) when they were 6 weeks so I could be home with all the babies during maternity leave. Yes, people thought we were nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it increased. Had twins and was feeding around the clock. Dog would wake up for each feeding and sit next to me. I loved his company.

Same with my cats. One or the other was always by my side and it really helped me feel less alone and overwhelmed by a high needs baby who didn’t sleep and had eating issues. The cats had medical issues, as well, and I fully credit them for helping me learn the patience and perseverance I needed for the baby.