How has your relationship with your pets changed since your first LO arrived?
I have 2 dogs and a cat who I love dearly but babies make me touched out and tired. For a long time I mainly ignored the animals other than basic needs. Even now I mainly throw the ball out of guilt that the (esp younger dog) is bored and restless. I don't worry about having "space in my heart" for another child, but will that space completely push the dogs out? Ugh, I'd never get rid of them, I just feel bad they are not getting enough attention.
Post by lakecountrygal on Aug 1, 2015 7:44:44 GMT -5
My cats, I have 2, have always been super independent and only super cuddly in the winter when it's colder. They will still come cuddle if DS is calm or sleeping and cuddle at night or after DS goes to bed.
My dog gets walked daily, it is and always has been part of our daily routine. The only difference between now and before is that the dog doesn't get walked in the winter when it's super cold unless DH is home. I also snuggle the dog when DS goes to bed and we bring him outside everytime we head outside. I have even trained the dog to be outside while I mow the lawn, he can run and play as long as he doesn't get too close to the mower. We also go outside and play fetch during nap time, which usually lasts about 1.5-3 hours.
I'm not sure what all you do in your house and if you use a stroller or babywear, but take your LO on walks with you when you walk the dogs. Since you have more than 1 dog babywearing may make it easier for you. Plus it's not just good for the dogs but you will feel so much more energized after a walk, I know I do! Also if YH/SO is around have them help and either watch LO while you spend time with the dogs or else walk the dogs and play with them outside. Once you build a routine you won't believe how much better everyone feels.
I also feel that I should add that because we didn't let the dog feel as though DS took his spot he is great with DS. The two play together, DS tries to walk the dog on his leash, and can lay on the dog and snuggle for a nap. You want to make sure that your dogs see your LO as a member of their pack and not as someone who is trying to push them out.
I do like walking, but one of our dogs is a St. Bernard (160lbs) and I can hardly walk her only nevermind with a baby strapped to me and another dog! Plus she we have 2 babies in Nov, no way! Also the deer flies have been aaaaaawful this year so walking has been way less fun for everyone.
Post by angelsnight on Aug 1, 2015 22:43:30 GMT -5
My pets used to be my babies and now they are a nuisance since LO arrived. Zoey stopped cuddling with us when our second cat Vinny came along, but Vinny is still very cuddly and tries, but I am usually trying to do something with LO, or just want a moment to myself.
LO loves Vinny but she doesn't know how to be gentle, so Vinny sits there whining that she is pulling his tail, but because he wants to badly to snuggle with me, he puts up with it.
Then we were completely stupid and got a puppy a few months ago. Now that we're doing the crate training correctly, it has gotten much easier. But we just started puppy classes and so far I haven't been doing my homework with her. I really want to go to bed, but I will force myself to go do ten minutes of training with her so I won't feel too guilty that we skipped almost a whole day.
I have one dog (11 yo) that is my only son. I have noticed I don't have as much time for just him but try every night to let him sit with me after lo goes to bed. He loves his little sister and they have a blast together.
Post by nattybumppo on Aug 3, 2015 13:24:11 GMT -5
We have two cats and they are definitely at the bottom of the totem pole these days. It doesn't help that they don't like to be around the kids so they basically hide all day. When they come out at the evening, I'm just exhausted and they get snuggles if they come to me on the couch, but that's about it.
Though, to be honest, it has gotten a little better. I think they have finally gotten used to the fact that there are small people around the house and I see them more during the day. One cat even occasionally lets the kids pet him.
They still get fed and taken to the vet when needed but my level of concern about the cats has dropped tremendously. I used to really stress about them when we'd go on vacation (pre-kids) and they got lots of attention. Now....they get on my nerves a lot more. It would be better if they were better around the kids, but they are not. And that's too bad. Even when these cats pass, I don't know when/if we'll get more (and I've had cats my whole life!). Though DD1 has started asking for a dog. !!!! Um, no. Not anytime soon.
Post by younglove316 on Aug 3, 2015 18:32:16 GMT -5
I'm the person that everyone can flame. My animals are driving me up an effing wall and it's just too much to handle anymore. DD is 17 months old, please tell me why the cats still pee on her stuff and only her stuff. The foam couch she got for her birthday? They completely ruined it, it's waiting to go out in the trash.
The dogs don't listen worth crap anymore and are constantly jumping onto the highchair to finish what she didn't or better yet, while she's still eating and taking her food. My one dog refuses to poop in the yard so he's only doing it on our patio now. They destroyed her favorite stuffed monkey and one night we had people over they actually clawed through the door frame in our spare room and destroyed it.
I'm pregnant, trying to keep up with a toddler, and my patience is running thin. If they could find a good home, I'd be all over it at this point.
I'm the person that everyone can flame. My animals are driving me up an effing wall and it's just too much to handle anymore. DD is 17 months old, please tell me why the cats still pee on her stuff and only her stuff. The foam couch she got for her birthday? They completely ruined it, it's waiting to go out in the trash.
The dogs don't listen worth crap anymore and are constantly jumping onto the highchair to finish what she didn't or better yet, while she's still eating and taking her food. My one dog refuses to poop in the yard so he's only doing it on our patio now. They destroyed her favorite stuffed monkey and one night we had people over they actually clawed through the door frame in our spare room and destroyed it.
I'm pregnant, trying to keep up with a toddler, and my patience is running thin. If they could find a good home, I'd be all over it at this point.
No flame, just sympathy. I definitely feel like that some days. Attachment-wise, I could totally let them go, but I could never get past the guilt :/
We have one cat. She's a bit annoying but very independent. Sometimes I wish we didn't have her, but really only because I hate the litter box! But I love her dearly and she'll forever be ours until she passes away. Which according to the vet should have happened several years ago!!! I'm just happy MOST nights she doesn't even come to our bed and leaves us alone.
younglove316, No flaming here. Cats are vindictive little creatures. I had a bottle raised cat (I got him at 3 days old) that would pee on my couch when he got pissed at me for something. He was brazen enough to look me in the eyes and do it right in front of me. He turned into an outdoor cat. my dog used to be a model citizen but he has regressed some since DD came along. I have problems telling him no for doing the same thing DD is doing, begging for food. He has started to have some anxiety issues since DD is always moving now, but we are working on that. as for your 4 legged kids, it is OK to feel overwhelmed right now. If you truly feel they would be better in another home try to find the best one you possibly can. I don't normally condone rehoming pets, but under certain circumstances it is the best possible option.
Our female dog is a bit older (9) so she is not high energy and we do weekend walks that she loves. We have a fenced back yard so in the daytime/evenings she gets less structured walking but does have a place to run around. Levi loves her and she is very tolerant until late evening and then she is done for the day and doesn't want him tugging on her, pulling her tail, sticking his fingers in her mouth, etc. I have to send her downstairs at that time which I hate because she is my follow tail.
I'm not flaming anyone but those of you with young(er), energetic pets, can you get a dog walker? Neighbor kid/teen to play with them and help burn off their energy and get some needed attention? I know easy for me to say. I am a dog lover, I think cats are beautiful but due to son's allergy and my preference to dogs we don't have cats.
Post by lakecountrygal on Aug 4, 2015 14:00:58 GMT -5
@kellbell you put the second part of your post a lot nicer than its run through my head for the last few days. I could have actually pulled out the bitch and flamed them all but I kept it to myself.
I'm also the same way as you though and love my animals all dearly and felt that if I changed my relationship with them too much it may decide how they were going to treat DS. I was under the impression that if animals see someone/something as taking their spot they can act out and behaviors can go down hill. I hate always being touched but if it means everyone knows I love them then I just deal with it.
Post by maganonymous on Aug 5, 2015 0:08:33 GMT -5
I definitely feel like I have neglected my dogs a bit since LO came along. I have, however, been trying to correct that lately by letting the sit with me more, talking to them more, etc. They are kind of lazy, so they don't like to chase a ball more than a couple of times. I would like to take them on walks more, and now that DH is home regularly that may be a possibility. Our big dog is 120 lbs, so I can't walk him, the little dog, and take LO with me in the stroller all at the same time. We did have to discipline my big dog after he snapped at LO (just made noise and frightened LO, but did not physically touch her), but after that, he is tolerant of her. I'm over the moon that they have turned that corner because we were legitimately afraid of having to rehome him for a bit. He makes me crazy (mostly because he sheds worse than any other dog I've had my whole life) but I could never get rid of either of my dogs--both attachment-wise and guilt-wise.
Post by younglove316 on Aug 5, 2015 13:19:43 GMT -5
Flame all you want but sorry I don't have a ton of disposable income to keep fixing and replacing stuff. They get plenty of attention, treats, and toys. They love DD and she loves them but they just don't listen at all. We now have to fix an entire door frame because they destroyed it.
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