Reply to What’s it really like having kids and a dog?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Dogs love unconditionally. For me, that makes it all worth it. But they are like perma-toddlers in many way. They will never feed themselves or go to the bathroom independently. They can stay home alone for a few hours but not for extended periods of time. They require exercise and mental stimulation and vet visits and for some grooming. They are expensive and burdensome and they can be gross and stinky and annoying and if they have to vomit, they don’t even try to make it to the bathroom. But they will love you with ever fiber of their being. Truly. [/quote]

This is the best explanation of owning a dog that I have ever read.  I would only add one thing and that is that the read your emotions.  When we had a family death both dogs instinctively knew and comforted all of us.  [/quote]

Our labs will hunt you down and find you if you start crying anywhere in the house (even silently). All they want to do is comfort you. [/quote]

I had a lab and he was wonderful and sweet but he was all about his own emotions and needs, and did not notice ours at all. I didn’t expect more since dogs are basically forever toddlers.

OP, I love dogs so, so much that pre-kids I sorta worried I’d love my dog more than kids (obviously not true). That said I refused to get another dog after ours passed away because I couldn’t give the dog what he needed / be the type of dog owner I wanted to be. I am mostly ok with this but if my spouse offered to do all the vet visits/food/behavioral stuff/etc., I’d love another dog. However the reality is that I will be stuck with everything.

I think for me it boils down to time, money, and energy. I believe you have to have at least 2 of these comfortably or in excess. [/quote]

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