Losing a pet is a tough experience. We've all been there...and I like to think Rainbow Bridge will have lots of our dogs/pets waiting for all of us when our time comes.

It makes me wonder if I really want my (future) children to have pets.. It's such a hard experience to lose them and it happens so fast!

What do you think?

There's alot of factors that have to be considered when getting a pet. Kids usually do well with the care and responsibility of caring for a pet. Of course....you have to help guide them. And of course it's tough on them when the pet dies....but it does show the circle of life.
Bottom line...you have to decide what is right for your kids.

Trang -- Didn't you want "Definitive Therapy?"

There's alot of factors that have to be considered when getting a pet. Kids usually do well with the care and responsibility of caring for a pet. Of course....you have to help guide them. And of course it's tough on them when the pet dies....but it does show the circle of life.
Bottom line...you have to decide what is right for your kids.

Yea.. .Tough call though...

Trang -- Didn't you want "Definitive Therapy?"

Yes I did...
But my PMs aren't working so I can't send you my email

Thank you so much I really appreciate it!!!

Children have to learn about death and how to deal with loss somehow...

I have a cat that's over 15 years old and still going strong. Provided you don't get an animal that naturally has a short life span, you most likely won't have a situation of the animal dying that quickly.

Children have to learn about death and how to deal with loss somehow...

I have a cat that's over 15 years old and still going strong. Provided you don't get an animal that naturally has a short life span, you most likely won't have a situation of the animal dying that quickly.

Yea but it can be really hurtful. My gf still cries when her late dog comes up in any conversation. It died like 2 years ago.

I didn't say that it's not hurtful, but you did say that animals die quickly. I was just pointing out that not every animal dies that quickly.

Since you did ask...

Refusing your future kids the opportunity to have pets just to protect them from loss will likely do them a disservice. Kids need to learn how to cope with death. Are you also planning to refuse your kids to know their older relatives because the death of a grandparent would be sad? What sort of coping mechanism do you think they would have when they are adults if they were protected to that extent?

I'm fairly certain that if you asked your girlfriend, she'd much rather have the happy memories with her dog than to have none. Or maybe she needs to be nudged in that direction.

If your actual reason for not wanting pets is not wanting the responsibility (or thinking that the kids are too irresponsible) then that makes sense. The shelters are full of pets that wound up with irresponsible loser owners who didn't think things through.

I gotta say you're most probably right...
But they do die fast IMO and if you consider them part of your family (say the kid will be 13 when the dog dies if it's bought by the same time the kid is born) it's a very sad loss.

You gotta love those dawg-gone Dogs! they really are great friends and can never steer ya wrong. Now we lost our buddy, "Blu" aka "The Geek!", on Jan. 9 of this year, at the ripe old age of 13 years (his max lifespan was 9-boy! He sure gave them the woof!!!) in his sleep. But for us he isn't really gone-just waiting on the other side of the creek waiting for his walk. Lotsa great memories for a lifetime!!