Changing relationship with pet?

Just wondering...

If your pet was your WORLD before having kids - did your relationship with him/her change after you did?

THANKS!

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

Yes- it most certainly did.... and not for the better . I never thought I'd say that before having kids.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

Yes, it did but we all adjusted.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

I sure hope not. Baby on the way here, and DH and I plan to do everything we can to keep our relationship with our doggies as close to the same as it is now. Still take them as many places as we can, WITH the baby. Our dogs are our furry children, we love them so much it hurts. We take their good and their bad, as we ALL have good and bad points. And we cherish them and love to spoil them.

I will know alot more when baby comes next mth. I sure hope my dogs aren't depressed when baby comes home. I hope the baby is their pal, but either way, we will adjust and do our part to make EVERYONE, including the dogs, happy in our home.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

oh boy- I hope not

but I guess you don't know until it happens

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

I hope things don't change...I am sure they will a little but if you make an effort it can be ok i think. My tinkerbell has been my baby for almost 4 years. Although I know it would be different, she loves to sit by me and cuddle and I think that can be arranged even with a baby!

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

Posted by Goobster

I sure hope not. Baby on the way here, and DH and I plan to do everything we can to keep our relationship with our doggies as close to the same as it is now. Still take them as many places as we can, WITH the baby. Our dogs are our furry children, we love them so much it hurts. We take their good and their bad, as we ALL have good and bad points. And we cherish them and love to spoil them.

I will know alot more when baby comes next mth. I sure hope my dogs aren't depressed when baby comes home. I hope the baby is their pal, but either way, we will adjust and do our part to make EVERYONE, including the dogs, happy in our home.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

As a BTDT, I'd like to reiterate that I have always been an animal lover. Since I was a small child, I was always rescuing animals. I worked for a vet for years while in high school and college. I loved my pets like they were my babies. We did everything possible to prepare Luna and the cats for Maddie's arrival- right down to allowing them free access to her and her room.

That said, I was totally unprepared for how much my life and priorities changed once DD got here. Many of you know I gave my cats away to family members when DD developed allergies to them. It broke my heart but there was NO question who was most important in the situation.

And now we have Luna the dog. Poor Luna . When we adopted her she was the center of our universe and I swore her life would only be better once DD got here. Perhaps it's because Luna is high maintainance, but I have found that I sometimes really resent her and the extra work she has become.

Understand, she is still loved, but not as much as before. And no where like the way I love my daughter. It pains me to say that, as I NEVER in a million years would have thought I'd feel like that. She still gets fed, walked, and petted- but I need her to remind me sometimes rather than it being an automatic response like it was before.

So for those who insist it could never happen to them- don't be so sure. I always referred to my furbabies as my children- but it took actually having children to realize I had no idea what I was talking about.

Message edited 11/3/2008 6:41:58 PM.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

If we are blessed w/a child I'm sure it will a little bit.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

yes it did, I still love her with all my heart but I do not have as much time for her as I used to

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

It's such a good question, but it truly hurts me so much to even think about. I can't imagine my beautiful Maya Girl not being able to share in the center of my world.

Re: Changing relationship with pet?

I'm worried about this too!! I know in all reality, our relationship with the dog will change. There really is no way around it. I will still love and care for my dog, but it will be different.