“My dogs are just like my kids” I used to say. I loved them like I thought one loves a child. I spoiled them, cuddled them, babied them, missed them… they were my world for 4 years.
Until he came.
I am always angry with one of them. I mean, do they not see this baby resting over here on my lap? Why would you want to wake him? And have I mentioned that Brady’s cries send Mosley into a total panic, complete with high pitched howls? That noise is one I could live my whole life never hearing again.
But not to worry, they are not neglected thanks to the man in the house. If not for him I don’t know that I would ever remember to feed them or let them use the bathroom. Same goes for the cat in the house, but he already had the shaft long before Brady arrived.
We love our dogs though and I want our kids to grow up with animals and learn to appreciate them and be respectful of them, so the dogs aren’t going anywhere. They are still part of the family and still bring a little something to this place… even though sometimes I can’t quite remember what.
First published in October 2010.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
I don’t have children, yet, but I would say that everyone I know with pets feels this way at some point or another when a baby comes along. And, remember, soon enough everyone will mesh together much better than they are now.
I’m glad you mentioned you aren’t giving them away. It breaks my heart when people with pets give them away when they have children. I think most of us know they aren’t truly children, but we spoil them just the same.
I’m glad in one sense she isn’t giving away her poor dogs, it’s so sad when people have babies and get rid of dogs. But her dog could likely find a much more living home than this.
Normal loving dog owners don’t turn against the dog just because it woke up the new baby…
ha ha! I’m exactly like you! It happens all over again too between baby #1 and baby #2… once Brady grows up more you’ll be babying the dogs again, but then the new baby comes and you’re back to not liking the dogs at all!
We found a way to make it work.. but the dog does always find a way to eat the toys.. THAT is annoying.. lol
http://www.itzybellababy.com
We’ve been struggling with our dogs, as well. The always indoor dog barks every. single. time. the baby is asleep. It’s her superpower to know exactly the right time. The sometimes indoor, sometimes outdoor dog is cool with the baby, and the baby loves him, but he’s spending a lot less sometimes indoors and a lot more sometimes outdoors. We still love them like children, and I still think having the always indoor dog is like having a baby because she is STILL that much work, but it’s a little different.
Wow you don’t deserve dogs. They were there first how could you replace them with kids and start seeing them as in the way?! If you had another baby would your first burn just become a pain waking the new baby up?!
I feel for your dogs who loved you unconditionally and accepted your new sprig only for you to push them out of the way.
I have ALWAYS loved my dogs like babies. I have s child now and I STILL love my dog like a baby, damn they’re a hell of a lot easier than kids too.
Stop being so selfish, give the dog the attention he or she deserves and your household will be happier.
What horrible things to say to a new mom who is struggling. If you are indeed a mom (which I don’t actually believe because you would have more understanding) then you would know how exhausting can be and how you just don’t have any more to give sometimes. Go crucify somebody who’s actually abusing/neglect animals because this poor woman is just saying it how it is. That goes for the rest of you trolls. Get a life.
Quite the negative article. I wish I’d never clicked to read this garbage.
I agree. I loved my dogs as much as I knew to be possible and then I had children. There was a definite switch, but this was not it. I didn’t become hateful towards the dogs, I just realized how much more important my human babies were.
This post is more about animal neglect than shifting priorities. If the only reason you’re keeping dogs is because it seems like the thing to do or as an object lesson for your kid, please find a home that actually wants dogs.
This is kind of terrible. I know it’s hard to be a new mom, but you brought the dogs into your household and it is your responsibility to ensure they are loved and cared for. It’s you’re own fault you’re overwhelmed by your responsibilities…not theirs. Please don’t get another animal if you are going to treat them like shit…
It’s totally normal to completely forget about almost everything when you become a new mom. Your brain just goes “baby baby baby” 24 hours a day, that’s how we’re biologically programmed to ensure the baby’s survival. That baby fulfills all your needs to nurture and be close to something, and there’s really nothing left for pets– there’s really not even much left for your spouse and other children, a lot of moms even feel an intense dislike toward their first child when they have a second. Anything other than the baby can become an annoying distraction. Once they get out of the toddler stage and become more independent, then you’re able to focus on other things and have a better connection with the other beings around you. Of course you will never feel as strong of a connection to an animal as you feel to your children, those two experiences are not comparable, but I had a cat before having babies that I had a strong connection with and I still care about him even though he has passed away. All in good time.