thac,

not a boxer! not with that schnoz. def can see SOME boxer there though.

How big probably around 115 lbs? Great dog!

Yeah I forget what he was mixed with, it's been like 6 months. I think red-tailed coonhound? But that may have been another dog.

She's I think on the smaller side, about 95 lbs. Still a beast though

Enh, most of my friends with dogs (myself included) think of ourselves as dog parents. It's tongue in cheek but it's a pretty similar job, like having a really athletic toddler.

I say daddy about my dogs but 100% recognize I'm being douchy. It started tongue-in-cheek as a sort of joke, but I've kept doing it. I really hate it when my wife references it to other people.

My wife and I do the same thing and I've stopped caring because (1) our dog is way cuter than a toddler and (2) does not cause any commotion when we bring him to stores or on a plane. We are much prouder of him than we would be of a toddler

I'm sure you're kidding (I hope your kidding) but if not, my lord.

I can never tell when people are kidding on here but if your not, I have two toddlers and I've had dogs in the past and it's not even close to a similar job. Not even remotely.

That's why it makes me mad I guess. Because being parents is such an important job and really the main reason I'm on this earth, and comparing being a parent to taking care of a dog is an insult.

Lighten up Francis. People like their pets. People compare things they know about with assumptions they make about other things that they don't know about. Like you in that ******ed gun thread in politics.

In the words of that great American:

Hey, hey. No need to go there.

I don't get it.

But I'd imagine that's the point?

Making fun of you getting angry that other people really like their dogs, enough that they think of them as children. Why does that affect you at all?

Not really sure. I don't really like the person that says it in my office so that might have something to do with it. Mostly it just annoys me because I almost garauntee that if these people did have children, they would understand that a dog is not even remotely close to having a child. I guess I have a problem with charectorizing a person that takes care of a dog as a Mom. Seems like an insult to real Moms.

I'm not at all easily insulted either. Not sure why this one gets me.

It is similar though, it's essentially having a responsibility to take care of another living thing. And the rewards are purely mental. I'm not saying they're to the same degree. A dog is like a kid with training wheels. Less money to take care of, less time is needed, more mistakes can be made.

But dogs are still awesome.

A dog is like a dog. A kid is like a kid. Both are awesome, but neither are alike once we get past animal/vegetable/mineral.

Anthropomorphism is annoying, come to think of it. Sorry goodie.

I'm not trying to be a jerk here but unless I'm wrong, you've only taken care of a dog, and not a child. I've taken care of both and they are not even remotely similar. I could list all the differences but I really don't have time to do so.

I completely agree that dogs are awesome. I'm a huge dog lover (unfortunately I can't own one right now because our condo association doesn't allow it) but I've had dogs in the past and I enjoy them a ton.

I have three children also and there really isn't any comparison to taking care of and loving a dog and a child. Not even close. And is seems pretty presumptious of you to think it is similar when you've only experienced one.

I suppose I could be wrong but from what I know of you (not a ton, but I obviously know who you are) I'm just making the assumption you don't have children.

Right, that's why I don't come into the parenting thread and tell you that you are wrong about the way that you love your children.

What are you talking about? I have owned a dog and loved a dog. You have as well. I have children and take care of them and love them with every part of my being. You do not.

Therefore I'm much more qualified to talk about the similarities and differences of taking care of and loving dogs and taking care of and loving children. Which is the argument in question here.

I'm not telling you how to love your dog. Jesus. I'm just saying that it's not the same love and doesn't require anywhere near the same type of commitment or skill set to take care of a dog as it does a child.

What's going on here? I really don't understand how you're making this argument when you only have experience with one side of it.

I'm just confused why you want to make me feel wrong.

Not sure I do. I'm just annoyed by people calling themselves Mommie or Daddie of a dog. I think it diminishes the role that ACTUAL parents play. When you use those words, it compares taking care of dog to taking care of a child. And that comparison is not valid. So it annoys me. That's all.

The dog has a mother and a father, and the mother and father are dogs, not people.

Wait, if I am a dogs father that makes me a stud. Counterpoint.

Would it make you feel better then to say my dog is adopted?

Haha. Sure. As long as you're not his "dad".