Raising a Dog is Easier than Raising a Child

This is the problem with pet-owners that call themselves "parents". They start to believe it! Having a PET does not make you a parent, people!

I was working the other night when I was informed that it is easier to raise a child than it is a pet. This was coming from a woman who owns a dog, yet she has NO children. Naturally, I was quick to debate with her, proving her wrong.

A quick recap:
Me: um, do you have any kids?
Co-Worker: No, but I have siblings and I have a dog.

Me: It's not the same thing.
Co-Worker: Sure it is. It's worse! It's harder.

Me: It's harder? Yea right!
Co-Worker: Well, with a dog you have to take them out in the middle of the night and clean up their crap. When they're sick, you have to take them to the vet. And they cost money!

Me: Ok, first of all, raising a child is much harder. Dogs live shorter lives- that alone makes it easier. And what a kind of parents doesn't have to clean up their kids? When my son is sick, I have to take him to the doctor. That costs money, too. And babies? You can't let them stay in their messy diapers! You have to clean that up! They could get a rash or sick otherwise. And kids keep you up plenty in the middle of the night. Especially when they are sick. You can't just send them outside to some doghouse.

Co-Worker: Sounds the same to me!
Me: Ok, then. You were never pregnant. How many hours of labor were you in? Which hospital? Where are your stretch marks to show for it? You don't know. You're missing out, and it is not the same thing. Being a parent and having a child is so much different- so much BETTER than having a pet.

At that point, she came up with no further arguments. You can not say that owning a pet is harder than raising a child. It is NOT. Nor is it as rewarding or life-changing.
Having a child to raise is tons better than having a pet.