There is a buzz going around online about comparing dogs to children. A recent post titled, No Your Dog Is Not Your “Baby” – Saying That Is An Insult To Moms published by Elizabeth Broadbent from YourTango, discusses how people who refer to their pets as “Furbabies” or “FurKids” really tick her off. Apparently, the world had a lot to say about this subject and their weighing in on social media. Broadbent makes comments such as, “Your puppy is not your child, so stop saying that he is. I have three children now, and I know this for certain — kids and dogs are not same” and “Getting a dog just doesn’t stack up”, and “Kids do some amazing things dogs just can’t stack up to.”.
Broadbent makes comments such as, “Your puppy is not your child, so stop saying that he is. I have three children now, and I know this for certain — kids and dogs are not same” and “Getting a dog just doesn’t stack up”, and “Kids do some amazing things dogs just can’t stack up to.”.
Many, including hundreds of commenters, are outraged that Broadbent would even “go there”. Amy Attaway, a commenter on the post, says, “For all those women who aren’t able to have children, these furkids may be all they have. I think it’s sad you feel the need to belittle people who are doing absolutely no harm to your own life. Concentrate on and love your children. There’s no need to degrade.” And Lindsay Combs posted this on her Facebook page, “I’ve never given birth nor am I sure if I ever want to or even can, but my dogs are my world… Just bc I don’t change their diapers everyday… [and they don’t] speak the words “I wuv you mommy” doesn’t mean they can’t mean the world to me just as a child could. … don’t for a second think you can tell somebody what to or what not to call their dogs or any pet for that matter. It 100% should NOT be an insult to Moms everywhere & if it is, you should be ashamed!”
“I’ve never given birth nor am I sure if I ever want to or even can, but my dogs are my world…”
We want to know how the WIRL Project audience feels about this. Can you see what the author is saying or are you outraged at her comments? Do you have your own “Furbabies” and do you refer to them as such? Do you have children of your own as well as a family dog? Does the love “compare”? Or should we even be having this conversation? Why does it matter who loves who? Can’t we just be happy there is love going around? Many will have their own opinions, we are all entitled to them, but it’s how you present yourself as you share your thoughts and ideas that will earn the respect (or disrespect) of others.
Why does it matter who loves who? Can’t we just be happy there is love going around?
Tell us what you think about calling dogs and pets “Furbabies” and “Furkids” in the comments below. Or, better yet, submit your own thoughts and stories here!
*Image source: Popsugar.com
Add to favorites
Jacqueline Greer
I have a son that’s. Almost 30.and I have 4furbabys and I love all of them with all my heart.I don’t care if I upset anyone,cause I call my dog’s my furbabys because they are I got all of them when they were baby’s and trained them,I pay their vet bills,I buy food for them,,I give them a bath when they need it so yes they are my FURBABYS.
Veronica
I really resent Elizabeth Broadbent’s article. My husband & I have successfully raised 2 wonderful Christian children who now have families of their own. They were raised with furbabies & are now raising their children with furbabies. Our empty nest is no longer empty because of our 2 dachshund furbabies! No……they are not human, but, they ARE our children & are treated as such. If we have to leave them with a sitter (they are NEVER boarded in “jail”), we feel so guilty. Our furbabies are very well behaved (better than many children I have seen!) and are never crated or locked up. They are always ecstatic to see us & love us unconditionally. No expense is spared for anything they need or want. I went to Broadbent’s website & FB page and read some of her other stuff. All I can say is that I feel sorry for her children being raised by someone like her.
Delia
To rescue our greyhound Andrew and our Dachshund/Pomerania Minko, people visited our house called our vet and interviewed us. Adopting children is harder but both things prove we WANT those dogs and children in our lives. Most parents simply decide to have children and have sex.
Kerri S
She is way off base! My rescue dog is my fur baby and is such a joy my life. The author is probably one of those people that thinks “it’s just a dog” and has never experienced the unconditional love a fur baby brings to your life.
Tandi Sager
First off, you don’t own a Dachshund, cause they will definitely make you call them Furbabies. My Furbabies are with me and do more for me then my own children have ever done. So I will call mine Furbabies and you need to get a life…. Oh, a fur baby can give you one!!!
Tandi Sager
First off, you don’t own a Dachshund, cause they will definitely make you call them Furbabies. My Furbabies are with me and do more for me then my own children have ever done. So I will call mine Furbabies and you need to get a life…. Oh, a fur baby can give you one!!!
Eunice Wilson
I think the folks at Broadbent need to mind their own business & just get over it!
Wendy
So here is my thought. No one should be offended by people calling animals fur babies. I have children of my own as well as my Dachshunds that I also call my fur kids. When I first got them they had to be potty trained, learn manners, I feed them as they can not. I bring them to the vets for medical care and check ups, as well vaccinations. They show me love even though they don’t speak the words, they feel pain even though they can’t tell you with words. When I first read the comment the mom left about being offended, think of this first. When a couple adopts a child and they call this child there own, should the birth parents of the child feel offended? I feel my 2 dachshunds are my fur babies. Stop feeling offended and start feeling Blessed for what you have. Don’t judge. Smile and have a good day. Charrish the life you have, as well as the family you have. Don’t sweat the small stuff. That’s all I have to say.
Helene Conlin
Broadbent is so bent. I love my furbaby and furkid. I prefer them over children. I don’t want children and I love my dachshunds who I call my furkids. Dogs are better than people like Broadbent.