Many can relate to this…


  • If parents would make the children "obey" like they expect the dog to…it would be so nice.
    Imagine a dinning out, where the kids weren't running wild...
    Sorry, love children, but miss adults just looking the other way when children run wild.


  • Parents are afraid to apply the board of education to the seat of learning these days.

    And we have a culture of irresponsibility now. Just look at the full-to-bursting pet rescues and shelters.

    This is an excellent post, Ms. Pat.


  • Parents ARE afraid, because many have had DSHS or CPS or whatever your area calls child protective services called when a "helpful" neighbor or passerby observes what they believe is too harsh discipline – I actually had a friend reported because she had grounded her son and didn't let him go on a school trip. Someone from the school reported it and she had to go to counseling where she was told she had no right to ground him. BLEW me away.

    I have no such fear of the "authorities" and my kids knew it. I always "invited" them to call CPS if they felt I was too harsh, and I promised them that if they did, I'd make darn sure CPS hadn't wasted their time, LOL.
    Sharron, you can sit by my children any time at a restaurant and still manage to enjoy your meal 🙂 We have been complimented many times by other diners, and my kids were always so proud about that {as were my husband and myself}.

    On the other hand, I've seen just as many if not more undisciplined dogs out there. And while both children and dogs are hard to tolerate when undisciplined, the dogs can become more dangerous more quickly.

    While I think getting rid of the dog because the baby is moving in is ridiculous, I still maintain that it is the better option if you cannot handle both - esp. in those first months when parents are sleep deprived and won't be up to dog walking, training, playing, etc. I would never do it, but it really is the better option for some, for the sake of the dog and the baby.

  • Houston

    JazzysMom wrote

    I actually had a friend reported because she had grounded her son and didn't let him go on a school trip. Someone from the school reported it and she had to go to counseling where she was told she had no right to ground him. BLEW me away.

    all I have to say is…only in America...


  • I do understand that new parents feel totally overwhelmed.
    Find a dog a new home is better than the dog being left in the backyard.
    I just wish new parents could make time for all.
    I know its not something likely to happen.
    Just would be nice.


  • While I really don't understand many of the reasons behind re-homing because there is a new baby in the house, I agree it is better then just throwing the dog in the back yard and thinking he/she will be fine…..
    However that said, it is the ones that come right out and say "We got the dog to practice being parents" or "We don't really want a dog around our new baby" that really piss me off....


  • @tanza:

    While I really don't understand many of the reasons behind re-homing because there is a new baby in the house, I agree it is better then just throwing the dog in the back yard and thinking he/she will be fine…..
    However that said, it is the ones that come right out and say "We got the dog to practice being parents" or "We don't really want a dog around our new baby" that really piss me off....

    Absolutely. Although, sometimes the dogs and new owners benefit from the stupidity of others!
    One of my best dogs came, via an ad in the paper, from a family that got rid of her b/c a new baby. She was a timid wreck when we got her, and shortly turned into a joyful bundle of love for everyone. We thoroughly enjoyed her for 13 years, and I think she liked her new life better.

    My sister once got a St. Bernard from a friend who got rid of it b/c they had a baby and once the baby started crawling he kept getting the hair on his hands b/c he liked to crawl on the dog. That dog was AWESOME!! and we couldn't believe that they'd get rid of a dog that was so incredible with their baby because …hello???? the dog had HAIR! Craziness. Poor old dog-- his name was Solomon -- was 11 yrs old at the time. My sister had him about a year before he died. Those kind of people totally piss me off.


  • Exactly Jazzy…. I remember on couple that Leighton's place a pup with. When she became pregnant, the couple's parents had fits because of the Basenji.... and fought all the time with them to "just get rid of that dirty dog".... When the baby was born and they brought him home, laid him down on the floor for Kenji to sniff and lick... from then on that was "his" baby..gggg.... Bet the parents would have had a heart attack if they would have seen that!!!


  • A trainer who recognized this feeling of being overwhelmed when expecting a child and having a dog in the household as one of the biggest causes for dogs losing their homes started a program to help prepare families before the baby arrives. The program is called Dogs and Storks, http://dogsandstorks.com/


  • @tanza:

    Exactly Jazzy…. I remember on couple that Leighton's place a pup with. When she became pregnant, the couple's parents had fits because of the Basenji.... and fought all the time with them to "just get rid of that dirty dog".... When the baby was born and they brought him home, laid him down on the floor for Kenji to sniff and lick... from then on that was "his" baby..gggg.... Bet the parents would have had a heart attack if they would have seen that!!!

    My niece has two pitbulls and a pit mix. When she got pregnant, SO MANY people advised her to get rid of those dogs b/c they would harm the baby.
    Why they thought that is beyond me b/c those three dogs couldn't be more loving toward every human they've ever met.
    They are still here, the baby is two years old, and his dogs ADORE him. He can do no wrong to them. He rolls around on them when they are on their big pillow in the living room. They seek him out if he's not with them. What a loss to all of them had she been silly enough to listen to everyone and get rid of them.


  • There's a post on CL right now looking to rehome a 2 month old Shiba because they just had a new baby and don't have the time for the dog. The clean version of what went through my mind was "What the heck?" The dog is 2 months old. So if they got him at 8weeks (leagal age here in CO), they've had him for maybe 2 weeks. Did they get the puppy then just find the baby on the side of the road? Did someone not know she was 9 months preggers? Did they not think an 8week old puppy would take some time? Are people really this stupid? I guess so.


  • @agilebasenji:

    There's a post on CL right now looking to rehome a 2 month old Shiba because they just had a new baby and don't have the time for the dog. The clean version of what went through my mind was "What the heck?" The dog is 2 months old. So if they got him at 8weeks (leagal age here in CO), they've had him for maybe 2 weeks. Did they get the puppy then just find the baby on the side of the road? Did someone not know she was 9 months preggers? Did they not think an 8week old puppy would take some time? Are people really this stupid? I guess so.

    OMG!!!! that one pretty much takes the cake along with this one that I had… and really says a lot about the people selling those Shiba pups...

    Yes they are. I had a lady call a few years ago in December. She was expecting twins in January and wanted TWO Basenji puppies right away so that she could get them trained before the twins were born. That way they could entertain each other and also help entertain the new human babies!!!! OMG.... can you just picture it??? I did nicely explain that that was really not a good idea and why it was not a good idea. I told her I would not place puppies with her, even if I had them... and that most responsible breeders would not either.


  • @tanza:

    OMG!!!! that one pretty much takes the cake along with this one that I had… and really says a lot about the people selling those Shiba pups...

    Yes they are. I had a lady call a few years ago in December. She was expecting twins in January and wanted TWO Basenji puppies right away so that she could get them trained before the twins were born. That way they could entertain each other and also help entertain the new human babies!!!! OMG.... can you just picture it??? I did nicely explain that that was really not a good idea and why it was not a good idea. I told her I would not place puppies with her, even if I had them... and that most responsible breeders would not either.

    OMG!!! that story makes me break out in hives….twin humans, two puppies under a year old...shudder....


  • We always had dogs when I was a kid. I remember getting my face washed by a Spaniel-Mutt mix and an Irish Setter. We also had a cat who would sleep in my crib with me…probably because it was someplace the dogs couldn't reach. I don't know why so many people have such biases against having babies and animals together. Wasn't their own Saviour born amidst animals? Seems He turned out okay.


  • @Quercus:

    OMG!!! that story makes me break out in hives….twin humans, two puppies under a year old...shudder....

    I don't know, sounds like a great reality show to me.


  • @AJs:

    We always had dogs when I was a kid. I remember getting my face washed by a Spaniel-Mutt mix and an Irish Setter. We also had a cat who would sleep in my crib with me…probably because it was someplace the dogs couldn't reach. I don't know why so many people have such biases against having babies and animals together. Wasn't their own Saviour born amidst animals? Seems He turned out okay.

    LOL, good point!

    When my older kids were babies the cat I had then used to always jump in the crib and sleep with them –- never once tried to suck out their breath, LOL.

    My kids have never lived w/out both cats and dogs in the house at the same time.

  • Houston

    Neither have mine, and we have yet to have any allergy issues in our home..I would not have it any other way..having pets and children together nurtures compassionate humans..in my opinion..

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