My sister very recently had a baby boy and, whilst we were waiting for his arrival, I asked her about her cat Sammy, knowing that SOME people very unreasonably think that having a baby means getting rid of the family pet. Well, the response I got you would think I had just asked her to disembowel herself using a very blunt spoon...... I was told - in no uncertain terms - that Sammy was a much loved member of the family, he would be getting a new baby brother or sister and there was NO WAY ON THIS PLANET that she would be moving him out of the home!!! And if anyone were to suggest such a thing they would get VERY short shrift coz it was just never goning to happen.

I LOVE my baby sister!!!!!!!!

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I treat my animals like my babies, but I do have a strong drive to have a family with hooman babies too. I would never in my life give up my furry babies for the sake of hooman babies though, so if they did turn out to be allergic etc I'd find a way of making it work.

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

No i was brought up around animals and when i eventually met my OH and set up home, it was natural for us to have cats and dogs (he was brought up on a farm) When our kids arrived they were taught to love and respect the animals in the house just as we taught them to use a spoon and fork and to use a potty,never had problems other than arguements as to which cat/dog would sleep in their room!

No not one iota - I love my cats and I love my kidz and the two work beautifully together - always have, always will. When I was pregnant hubby did the litter tray (but I could have done it with gloves on) and I loved having a cat snuggle up to me when I felt sick. The cats loved the kidz when they came along and I've already been told which cats are leaving home WITH my kids when they go. I don't get a choice! The love is completely different. I'm not going to lecture you but it is special the love between a mother and her child, in a completely different way to a cat and it's slave. Having an animal is very good for children too - they learn responsibility and to care for something else in their lives. They also tend to be less susceptible to bugs etc. 24 Oct 2005 - Hector and Joe - 01.jpg

1967 - Tamsin, 7 months with kitten.jpg

11-7-95 -making friends with Boris.jpg

06-07-96 -0085.jpg

I discussed this with husband last night and he said that having a cat first makes the whole concept a bit less scary

He's never really been around small children and worries that he doesn't know much about them but that at least he's now had a little bit of practise at toilet training, staying up at night to check a temperature, very early mornings and the stress of someone suddenly coming down sick that can't tell you what is wrong.

He's still terrified of the idea but would spend 9 months reading up and attending classes (yes, he's a nerd) but the cats have helped a lot Now we just need to wait another 5 or so years before it's practical

Omg those pics made me well up a little I am turning into a softy as I get older (well 28) there is something so lovely about the interaction between a baby and a pet.

It wierds me out to think that IF I had kids then it is likely that my 2 kitties would still be with me too. I hope they would all be one big happy family and that it would make everyone's lives more rich

Ok now I am def going soft...off to think about work and non kid related stuff!

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