Animals versus kids.

Unfortunately I think a lot of people go by old "wives" tales when it comes to pets and children and like most wives tales are completely false. Any dog, of any breed is capable of being vicious if the inkling is there and shouldn't be associated to certain breeds, but I was raised in an environment with pet dogs. My father's side of the family raised hunting dogs...therefore my parents had two dogs as well, I even have several photos that were taken of me when I was only a baby (about a year old though my parents had the dogs before I was born)--this photo shows me sitting on the living room floor surrounded by these two gigantic dogs--was I harmed? NO I wasn't. I agree with the poster AngryKitty...if you take in a pet you are committing yourself to taking care of that pet for it's lifetime and shouldn't be discarded just because of a baby coming into the family...that pet IS part of the family--pets are not disposable like furniture--pets and children, even babies can get along very well together as witnessed in my own young experience

I love animals, but I'd always put my family first. Most dogs are loving with children unless they were taught to be aggressive in the first place. I don't think the breed is really relevent. I would have to give up my animals if agressionwas an issue though. I'd also take a home if it was offered. If you don't have the resources to care for yourself you can't possibly take proper care of an animal anyways.

Hi suzzy, I don't really think its a good idea to have dogs as well as babies, in the end if the dog bites the babay the dog will have to be destroyed, they should give the dogs to a good home. I have tow cats but no children so I treat my cats as my children but people do treat their dogs as children and they are part of the family, it is very hard to part with yuour pet, but in the old lady case, why don't they rehouse her where she can keep her dog, that is so sad. Tamara

Should young children come first? Absolutely. However, blaming the dog because of it's breed before the babies are even born is irresponsible. Bull terriers are not the ones that most commonly bite - over 25 different breeds are responsible for the 238 dog bite related fatalities in the US - you just hear about Bull Terriers the most because people are the most afraid of them. If your friend is truly worried, she should have the dogs go into training right away, before the baby is born. Also, establish rules now, before the baby even comes. Let them see everything that gets set up for the baby, see where the baby's space is, and let them know that they are forbidden to go in there. If dogs are properly and consistently trained, children and dogs together won't be a problem. It doesn't matter what breed it is. It's not fair to judge them guilty before they even do anything. Also, with bull terriers, they are usually dominant to other dogs, not humans. Again, it all goes back to training.

I had dogs and cats before I had children, and I still have them. My pets new a baby was coming, the bassinet was in my room for weeks before the events so they got used to seeing it. While in the hospital after birthing them each time, somebody i my family would bring home a blanket or clothes that had mine and the baby's scent on them so they got used to the new smell. Then when I got home with the baby, I gently introduced the baby to each pet by holding the baby and petting the animal while saying nice things. My one dog who was dominant over the other pets was VERY protective of my kids, and would never hurt them. I never had a problem with the kids and pets. There was NO REASON to get rid of my animals simply because we had children, the kids love the pets and the pets love the kids. When you take an animal into your home, it is a lifetime commitment, meaning you commit to caring for it for it's entire life. If you think you will discard your pet simply because you are having children, you should never have a pet. It's stupid to send them away without even giving them a chance. My children's lives are enriched by having pets, thy are great companions for kids and the kids learn about compassion and responsibility from an early age. Why deprive your kids of the blessings an animal companion can give without ever giving your pet a chance to love your child?

Hi Suzzy, I love dogs, i really do! I like playing with them, train them, talk to them. But if i get married and try to have a baby, i think it will be better keep my dogs somewhere or a little far away from the babys. As we all know that dogs knows human, they are the best friend of humans, but some of dogs get jealous when they saw their master don't care that much about them, because their master now focus on the little babe, something bad could be happen. I think the best way to do is raise a dog when your baby is old enough to play with them.

Dogs won't attack unless provoked. While saying that, I think it's also possible that jealousy could maybe provoke an attack. At the first sign that the dog/s were getting a bit antsy around the little one, they would be out. As for the lady in the car...I'm afraid I wouldn't abandon my dog on principle either. My animals and I, we are a team. If there was no-one to help me or give me a hand then there would be no-one to take the dog/animals. They would have to be put down. We're a bit lucky though...firstly, I own the home where me, my cat, dog and 2 goats live and secondly, if something did go wrong, there are plenty of empty homes round here, I would simply go squat in one.

I know alot of people are animal lovers, and I am too, I have several dogs here at home, but I don't think I would love them enough to lose my home over them, if I had to choose between my dogs and a place to live I'd have to choose a place to live, then I would do what I could to find good homes for my dogs, maybe a place where I could go and visit them once in awhile. As for the lady having a baby, I'd probably do the same thing she did, if it was for the safety of my baby.

I like animals to but think u can carry it too far & i think she did. I HAD A DOG WHEN I WAS PG WITH MY FIRST SON. mY LITTLE COUSIN CAME TO STAY w/me a few days & the dog snapped at him. He was jealous of my little cousin & i knew he was going to be of the baby so i found him a new home. I hated to but no dog or no person was more important to me than my baby. FOR that woman to refuse a place to stay was ridiculous.

I LOVE animals as well but I would not put my life, health or family at risk for any animal. I would either find them a "foster home" until I could take them back or make sure I find them a good permanent home instead. But these people are outrageously ridiculous!! I would not sacrifice my babies or my housing for an animal no matter how much I love it.

I am a lover of animals but not to the extent where i would sleep in a car just because I was not allowed to take my animals into my home.Wow I am happy though to know there are persons out there who are passionate about animals because this means that animals wont suffer

I love animals too, but my family does come first. If I was afraid of the dogs and my baby then the dog would have to go. No, you are not wrong some people think that they can have the dog and the baby will not be harmed. But you just never know what that animal might do no matter how long you have had that pet. Some people will do anything for there pet.

i love my pets but if it came to it would put family and friends first. it sounds though as if this lady's pets are all she has. i think if i was her situation i'd choose my pets, not the flat. by the way most dogs are fine around kids no matter what the breed - i think someone else pointed that out

As much as I love animals, my kids would, and will always, be top priority in my life. They are my legacy after all. I make sure my kids have everything they need, a roof over their heads, clothes and shoes to wear, health care and I see to it that they get a good education as well. Oh, and plenty of love of course. No way would I ever put any kind of pet above them.

I am an animal lover and really do enjoy dogs, in fact I am a dog person but I would never allow a dog in my home that could harm my children in any way