(Alternate post title? What to expect when you’re deflecting.) Stop me if you’ve heard this one… I’m not going to ask for a show of hands, but I have a feeling plenty of us have been… Adventures in Fur-tility: Pets as practice for children?
Please forgive me for that post title. It was the best of the worst, so just be thankful I spared you the others. Working titles included “the birth of an animation” and “make way for… The elephant in the womb?
I (somewhat) recently read a piece from Smithsonian Magazine that posed the following question: Are Dogs Now Just Furry Kids? I figured it would be your typical article about how people spend a lot on their dogs, dress them up, and do crazy things like blog about them.
I was wrong.
Instead, it was all science-y and stuff. Researchers have found that the human-dog bond is in some ways very similar to a parent-child bond.
Now, I’m not one who considers myself a mom to my pups (I don’t really know what word I’d use), but I thought I’d do my own non-scientific analysis as to whether dogs are simply furry children. (Being an English major, my “scientific analysis” is really just an imaginary debate I had in my own head. Just roll with it, okay?)
Okay, students. Professor Judge E. Dog is back today with another useful lesson. You may have friends or family members who seem stubbornly unwilling to shout their reproductive plans from the rooftops. When interrogated asked, they give “cute” answers such as “When we’re ready, we’ll let you know” or “I just want more puppies.”
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. There are countless articles out there advising people how to evade your questions and hide this important information. These devious masterminds have a host of skillful dodges at their disposal. What’s a Nosy Parker to do? It’s just not fair. You’re just embracing your inner Mary Worth. Where are the tips about the right way to ask this question? (Here. Those tips are here.)The right way to ask people when they plan to have kids
If I ever have children – and don’t ask if I intend to, because I’m not telling – I hope that my kid is as cool as the one that submitted this homework assignment: source… Kid wisdom: Don’t hit the dog
I’ve got something a little different for you today. Instead of my usual No Frown Friday, I’m changing things up a bit. (However, I may still have some linky goodness in store for you in the near future.)
This week, I have the pleasure of co-hosting Heart Like a Dog‘s Follow-Up Friday. It’s the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.
Let’s get to it! We’ll start with some quick hits on my posts this week, and then end with the great comments I received about whether you have to choose between having a dog or having kids. That post led to quite a bit of discussion!
No.
*declares post complete, closes laptop, goes to the kitchen, eats a cookie in celebration of a job well done, eats a second cookie in celebration of how good that first cookie was, reconsiders answer, returns to computer*
Here’s the thing. The answer is really that simple… and yet, it’s not. All at the same time. Allow me to explain.
I don’t believe that “you” (in the broadest sense) have to choose between kids and dogs. I don’t think it’s a zero sum game. At the same time, do “you” (in the narrowest possible sense) have to choose between kids and dogs? I can’t answer that one. However, I have thoughts. Lots of them.Do you have to choose between having a dog and having kids?
I don’t have words… I found the video below oddly addictive: (via Best Week Ever) It took me forever to figure out why the song sounded so familiar. Did you figure it out? I also… Puppy Woof Woof
Summed up in one sweet video courtesy of Life with Dogs… (via Life with Dogs) Doesn’t this just make you want to go hug your pup? I want this little girl to read me stories… Why every child needs a pet
