For the Love of Dog

When I was pregnant I downloaded the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" app onto my phone. It was fun tracking my pregnancy and reading over the "August 2014 babies" board. While most people posted questions on the board it was pretty funny how rude some people would get on there! Every now and then during a late night nursing session I scan the board - mostly for entertainment. It broke my heart last night when I found one titled:

I Can't Stand My Dog

The poster than proceeded to write something along the lines of "I used to love my dog, I snuggled with him, played fetch, instagramed him. Now that I have a baby I can't stand him" yada, yada, yada.

And the real bummer about it was that 41 other people chimed in on the thread AGREEING with her!

If anything I love Finn even more now that Presley is here, he is the most wonderful companion. He is up with me every time I do a late night feeding. He is barking at strangers (Good Boy!). He is genuinely concerned when she is crying her eyes out. He's just the best.

I don't mind that his fur is all over everything. I don't mind that sometimes he barks while she's sleeping (she heard it in utero so it doesn't phase her). I don't mind that he is another mouth to feed. I take care of him because I love him. He's a member of this family.

It makes me so sad that people see their pets as expendable and annoyances once a child comes into their life. Especially because the benefits of growing up with a pet are so great.

I'll step off my soapbox now but next time you're with your pet, give them a good belly rub and let them know how much you love them.

They may not be your whole life, but remember...you're theirs.

20 comments

  1. Love this Laura! I have so many friends who say once they bring their baby home the pup just get's in the way and it is sad......Those pups were once the baby and just want a little TLC too! Oh make sure you stop by VIrginia Sweet today - I have a great giveaway! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. When we got Pixie from the rescue one of the reasons the lady didn't want us to get adopt her was bc we're going to be having kids in the future and she knew that once kids come into the picture dogs get neglected. That broke my heart because I could never neglect her. She's our #1! I've seen friends start to hate their dogs once a baby comes and honestly it's people who didn't REALLY give their dogs all that much attention to begin with. I had a friend get rid of her dog and she says it was the best choice she ever made. But she also kept the dog in her garage 24/7 too. But she'll tell you she loved that dog and gave him love and affection all the time. I disagree!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a sweet post for your pup. Makes me want one. Love that picture too. So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm totally with you on this, I don't understand how people can feel that way about their pets just because a baby is in the picture! I can't wait to have pictures of Ruby with our little guy like you do with Finn and Presley! So sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This makes me want to cry. I can't imagine not having a dog and not raising my future children with a dog. Bravo to you for being so sweet to your sweet guy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is so sad :( I can't imagine Louis ever being less special or loved, no matter what!! He's a huge part of our family. I've seen that happen with people I know, and I don't get it. I grew up without a dog and since having Louis, I can't imagine never having a dog! I can see why having a dog would be so amazing for kids growing up. They add so much to the family and life in general :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. That seriously made me tear up. My dogs are like my first born children. There is nothing or no one in this world that could make me no longer love them. I couldn't imagine my life without my fur children!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You already know how I feel on this, that is just heartbreaking. Your dog has some pretty special parents :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. That breaks my heart! How sad is that! I could never do that to my pups!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It makes me sad to think in homes dogs are getting neglected or not loved anymore after a baby arrives. I love that you treat Finn like a child and shower him with love. Growing up with dogs are the best and Presley and Finn are going to be best buds!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hate that people do this! I'm not going to lie we had a really tough time when Miller was first mobile and getting into Layla's stuff, taking her bones, pulling her tail, trying to jump on her but thankfully Layla realized he wasn't trying to hurt her and was trying to play but we had a few incidences. Now they play all the time and Miller LOVES dogs so much. I love watching them together.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awww! I totally agree with you! Although I do think there are some dogs that just aren't good with kids and that can really change a relationship with them. I know I've mentioned this before.. but I fear that for what's to come with my dogs and the baby. I will still give them the chance to prove they can be great with the baby, but I do have that little bit of feat that it won't be the same due to them being over protective/jealous/anti kids.

    ReplyDelete
  13. People who think that way have something WRONG with them. Seriously, something isn't quite right in their brains in regards to empathy and compassion, and it's massively disturbing. I have zero tolerance for people that treat animals, like, well, animals. The more we learn about them, the more we find out just how intelligent, sensitive, and capable of a variety of emotions they are. It makes me genuinely angry, but it also makes me appreciate GOOD people like you SO much more. Jamo is my family, I wouldn't cast him aside any sooner than I would my husband, brothers, or parents... and I know there is nothing that will ever make me feel differently. I'm glad Finn has you, you're a good mommy to both of them!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That makes me sad :( I had some friends who got rid of their dog when they had their baby and I just couldn't believe it! My Kacee girl is family. Period.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wilson's not the problem...it's our peeing cat that I want to kick out! #donthateme

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for writing this. Everyone tells me we won't have time for our dog, Walter, once the twins get here. But he was here first, he is my baby too and I can't imagine feeling that way about him. I plan to take extra care to love on him more, make sure he is just as spoiled and feel just at home as he has pre-babies. I can't believe people would say that about their pets. Walter is my baby and we know we are his world too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is so sad! I feel like whoever would write that about their dog is evil! I'm so glad you still love your fur baby!

    ReplyDelete
  18. How can someone not love their dog because of a baby!? My sister-in-law couldn't stand her dog even when she was pregnant, because he would sit on her baby things and then she's have to rewash them all... but I don't worry about Oz and baby stuff because he's a part of our house and he's allowed to be on blankets and things like that! He's even allowed to lick Clara (although thankfully this is a rare occurrence)! Sure, I get a little annoyed when he barks and wakes her up from a nap, but I still love my first 'child'.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yikes! I couldn't imagine feeling that way about miss Emma Jo! Love the pic by the way- gah she is precious! Hope all is well! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. That breaks my heart - I could and will NEVER feel that way about Deeds and I hate that dog owners are talking that way about their pets, I can't imagine how they are treating them. How awful. You are right! They are a part of our family and always will be <3 <3

    ReplyDelete