Pets are not equal to children

Have you ever heard anyone say that having a dog is just like having a kid?  This really gets on my nerves.  You may love your pet(s) as much as I love my children, but it's not the same.  It never has been the same and never will be the same.

• If you leave your dog at home alone, you're normal as long as you leave a bowl of food and water.  If I leave my toddler at home alone, it's neglect. Even if I leave a bowl of food on the floor.
• If you leave your dog in the car outside of Walmart, you might get a little shame.  If I leave my kid in the car at Walmart, I get criminal charges.
• Walking your dog on a leash is considered normal.  Walking your kid down the street with a rope around his neck is generally frowned upon.
• If your kid craps on the floor, rubbing her nose in it is pretty much the worst thing you can do.
• Punishing your dog for tearing up your stuff by locking it outside in a safe place is usually okay.  Doing that to your toddler is bad.
• Toddlers shouldn't hide under the porch.
• It's (somewhat) normal for people to carry their dogs around in their purses, but if you keep a kid in your purse, you're completely insane.
• Feeding a dog usually consists of throwing kibble into a bowl on the floor a couple times per day.  While your kids may think this is hilarious, throwing kibble onto the floor isn't the best idea if you want to raise well-mannered children.

Can you think of any more?  I can always think of these when I'm nowhere near a computer.