Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Now that the children are grown and moved out, we’re gonna get a dog.’ Or, ‘We decided not to have children, so we got dogs?  Do they say it like dogs are a lot less work than kids?  Ya, don’t think so.

Here are some big reasons that may make them rethink the idea dogs are a walk in the park.

Forever Fed

While it’s certainly true that pet moms and dads don’t have to do midnight feedings and change diapers, it is also true that dogs always have to be fed, unless they’ve figured out how to get into the fridge, for the rest of their lives. Dogs can live 18 years, right? Children learn very quickly how to feed themselves. I was making my own breakfast at 5 years old.

Toilet Duty

Dogs, unlike children require their moms or dads to go with them for the 3x daily walk and pees, every day. It is not enough to let the dog out in the yard, they need to get out in the world, meet other dogs, mark their territory etc. I’ve never heard of a toilet-trained dog. I did try to toilet-train my cat, but that’s a whole other story.

Karma

Doggie moms and dads will always have to pick up Fluffy’s poop. Unless they are ‘those’ people who don’t. Karma has a nice way of getting those people back though. It’s a bitch.

Earning Their Keep

Dogs, especially the urban dwelling kind will have to be given baths and groomed their entire lives. Children learn to clean themselves, brush their own teeth, help around the house. Earn their keep basically. If yours don’t, well I can’t help you with that, (my son is 16 months old and does squat right now). We’re working on that.

Run Spot Run

Dogs and kids need to be run. No ifs, and or buts. A good run equals a good nap. I think it’s a tie here., love

Cha-ching!

Pets are expensive too! While it’s true that dogs don’t have to wear clothes, really they don’t, there are some certainly sporting the bling. People spend too much on their dogs in this town. But when you don’t have kids…

Vet bills can be astronomical. And dogs can’t tell you what’s the matter. In this great country of ours we have medical. And we speak the same language.

Love, Love, Love

All in all, kids and dogs require a lot of work. And a lot of love. And, a lot of work. But, whichever way you go, the responsibility is massive to raise happy kidlets and doggies.

I wish you the best in the raising of yours.

Did you choose to raise dogs instead of kids or vise versa? Do you have both? Would you like to share your compares for fun?