I'm talking about feeding dogs expensive dog food and stakes, treating animals like babies, maybe putting sweaters on them, doting on them, treating them like family?
What about folks here? Is that more common among those who don't want to have children (and don't have them)?
I have had at least one dog since I moved out of my parents' home, and they are definitely members of my family. I love them and would do anything for them to give them happy, healthy lives. This includes not overindulging them, not spoiling them, training them to be safe and respectful, and allowing them to be the dogs that they are.
I feed my dog healthy food without animal byproducts, and I choose grain free for her because she has allergies. Her food is therefore more expensive than Purina. I don't give her steaks, but I do let her share a little of our food after we've finished our meal. Dogs are community animals and this not only forges bonds, but also reinforces her placement in our "pack".
I do admit to dressing her up for our annual Christmas card.
She is a family member. I call her baby, in the sense of asking my husband, "Where's the baby?" or instructing her with, "Come on baby, let's go outside", and when I snuggle with her and pet her, I'll tell her what a beautiful baby she is and other cooing niceties. I don't know if that equates to treating her like an actual baby, but I am definitely showing her love and affection.
In case I haven't said it enough times, she is a member of our family.
Most, but not all, child free people that I know personally are animal lovers and have at least one animal. I do know some who don't care for the restrictions of freedom, and the time commitment, that animals require of them, so they avoid having pets.
