Cheerfully child-free. Anyone else?

[maddhatir]

I would like to mention that there are child free couples (although we were not child free by choice) that are not pet people.

This is the stuff I don't get -you don't want children to tie you down but you have dogs to get home too and cannot just "pick up and go".

It is still easier than having kids- all you have to do is hire a pet sitter to come in and let your dog out a few times a day and feed them- or drop them off at the "upscale" doggie kennel

 

[Hixski]

It is still easier than having kids- all you have to do is hire a pet sitter to come in and let your dog out a few times a day and feed them- or to drop them of at the "upscale" doggie kennel

Agree. Our dog is going to the "upscale" doggie kennel starting on Saturday. We will buy him Doggie Daycamp (they get out to play with the other dogs and handlers. Duncan loves the pool.) They also have "Yappy Hour". They get a Frosty Paw (doggie ice cream) and a few treats. They tell us they can't even put him in his kennel when we take him there. He tries to go right to Doggie Daycamp.

 

[Jennasis]

Ugh, who needs kids to tie you down and make vacation plans difficult when you have 20 horses! Dh and I run a horse boarding facility. If you thought finding a dog/cat or even kid-sitter so you can go on vacation was hard...well, let's just say it's tough! In fact,w e have a trip to WDW planned for Nov 9-13 and we are scrambling NOW to find enough help to cover twice daily feeding, stall mucking, water refills, turn-in/out, and the bazillion other miscellaneous things I do every day. It's a total labor of love, and I adore it!

If we had kids, not only would we have a super hard time fidning time to go or someone to cover our farm while gone, but we totally could never afford it!

 

[luvwinnie]

It is still easier than having kids- all you have to do is hire a pet sitter to come in and let your dog out a few times a day and feed them- or drop them off at the "upscale" doggie kennel

Then there is the option we chose: Buy a motorhome and travel everywhere with your pets!! Our dog is very high maintenance and very attached to us...not comfortable with strangers.

 

[goofygirl]

I would like to mention that there are child free couples (although we were not child free by choice) that are not pet people.

This is the stuff I don't get -you don't want children to tie you down but you have dogs to get home too and cannot just "pick up and go".

That's why I have cats, not dogs.

I had a dog for years and while I loved him, I would never have a dog again. I had to let him out in the yard every morning before school or work, call him back in before I left for school or work, and sometimes he did not listen to me, so I had to physically go get him- in all kinds of weather. It was so annoying. Then I had to come home to let him out in the yard before doing anything else. And also he would get fleas, and treating that was a job and a half. And he had long hair that had to be brushed.
Dogs are a pain, I like cats so much better!

 

[Muushka]

It is still easier than having kids- all you have to do is hire a pet sitter to come in and let your dog out a few times a day and feed them- or drop them off at the "upscale" doggie kennel

Yes, and bless their little furry hearts,

they never ask if we have begun their college fund!

 

[maddhatir]

The most ironic thing about this subject (kids and animals) is- I have no desire (and never did) to have kids BUT my heart aches when I see animals- that is THE ONLY reason I became a vegetarian- I love animals so much BUT DH and I have asthma and allergies so bad that we can't have any! NONE! NADA! ZILCH! DH sneezes when he sees a pic of a cat or dog!

Mom used to live with me and DH for a while and we (her and I) bought 2 cats (Japanese Bobtails- that is when I b/c a veggie) I couldnt believe how much I loved those 2 kitties, I couldnt even wait to come home from wherever I was just to see them - sure I had animals when I was younger, but when you get older- I think you appreciate them and enjoy them much more. DH and I suffered pretty bad with them in the house- but getting rid of them was not even an option-

Mom eventually moved out and took the kitties. DH and I are breathing quite well now! I still see them regularly and she treats them both like royalty- but I would love to have tons of animals around the house Cats, dogs, whatever!

Just say NO to KIDDIES not KITTIES!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I've got to post here-you guys will understand. I'm at HHI right now, staying with a CF friend, her sister, BIL and 18mth old. My friend had booked the trip with her points, wanting to take her family because they can't afford vacations. A lovely idea. Somehow, despite all my reservations, I got conned into driving down with my friend. I think she just didn't want to go 15 hours with her family-understandable. She had said something about everyone doing their own thing when we got here. I thought that meant, the family doing their own thing and she and I doing ours. Not so, it meant The Family doing their own thing and me on my own. I was ticked last night when I got dumped for a family dinner, but I'm over it now. I chose the single life and that means I enjoy doing things on my own, so it isn't that big a deal. I just didn't realize she was going to play doting aunt all week. I've been a doting aunt and it has it's charm-but this isn't my niece so I wasn't planning on being a doting friend.
Lesson learned-if you are a CF, and someone asks you to travel with the family-know from the get go that you are the fifth wheel and will be on your own.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

We were kind of bored Saturday, so we booked a last-minute room and headed into Chicago for the night on Sunday. We took a river architecture cruise (Amazing! Very good docent.), toured Navy Pier, caught a Second City show, and had a great dinner. It was such a nice time!

Sounds like a blast! I think I would especially like the river architecture cruise...no wait, the great dinner....no wait, I think the Second City show....OK, it all sounds like fun!

I had 6 days off in a row--besides hangin' out while we had various areas in our house painted (2nd story porch floor, decking leading to the front door, closet doors, etc.), DH and I drove to the beach Sunday and played in the surf/laid on the beach all afternoon. It was blissful.

 

[Danauk]

It sounds like some of you guys have been having fun recently. DH and I are both back at work tomorrow (we are teachers) so we have been busy preparing this weekend. However we also spent some of our weekend starting to plan our next holiday - 2 weeks going to some of the best coaster parks in the eastern US (we are huge coaster fans!) Followed by 2 weeks the following year doing Vegas (again!) and DLC!!
Next weekend however we are going up north for the weekend to see Robbie Williams (England's biggest and my favourite pop star whose concert tickets sold out in a matter of minutes when on general sale!)

 

[Flyerfan]

The most ironic thing about this subject (kids and animals) is- I have no desire (and never did) to have kids BUT my heart aches when I see animals- that is THE ONLY reason I became a vegetarian- I love animals so much BUT DH and I have asthma and allergies so bad that we can't have any! NONE! NADA! ZILCH! DH sneezes when he sees a pic of a cat or dog!
:

I kind of know how you feel. I would love to get a dog and although there are no allergies to dogs (as far as I know), I can't get past leaving him or her all alone for 8 hours (much less the maintenance). I thought about a cat, but when I found out DH is allergic, that idea was nixed. Have thought of a rabbit, turtle, fish, even a hedgehog (not legal in PA). So, here I sit, CCF and not-so-cheerfully pet free. The good thing is I work next door to a veterinarian and get to see all kinds of furry friends. The best ones are the puppies. Oh....the puppies! It's great that my two coworkers love animals, too. Just recently we saw someone carrying a tub of puppies out the door. We all ran out and went gaga over these golden puppies who were lethargic from just having their shots. And just today, we were stressed and a little depressed and out walks a beagle puppy. He was soooo cute and it just brightened our mood. So, I guess one day we'll have our furry child.

 

[maddhatir]

I've got to post here-you guys will understand. I'm at HHI right now, staying with a CF friend, her sister, BIL and 18mth old. My friend had booked the trip with her points, wanting to take her family because they can't afford vacations. A lovely idea. Somehow, despite all my reservations, I got conned into driving down with my friend. I think she just didn't want to go 15 hours with her family-understandable. She had said something about everyone doing their own thing when we got here. I thought that meant, the family doing their own thing and she and I doing ours. Not so, it meant The Family doing their own thing and me on my own. I was ticked last night when I got dumped for a family dinner, but I'm over it now. I chose the single life and that means I enjoy doing things on my own, so it isn't that big a deal. I just didn't realize she was going to play doting aunt all week. I've been a doting aunt and it has it's charm-but this isn't my niece so I wasn't planning on being a doting friend.
Lesson learned-if you are a CF, and someone asks you to travel with the family-know from the get go that you are the fifth wheel and will be on your own.

OMG! that is just wrong in SO many ways! Not just wrong- but very rude! How can you leave one person out of everything!? I am speechless right now! ARGH! RUDE!

I am so sorry!

 

[maddhatir]

I kind of know how you feel. I would love to get a dog and although there are no allergies to dogs (as far as I know), I can't get past leaving him or her all alone for 8 hours (much less the maintenance). I thought about a cat, but when I found out DH is allergic, that idea was nixed. Have thought of a rabbit, turtle, fish, even a hedgehog (not legal in PA). So, here I sit, CCF and not-so-cheerfully pet free. The good thing is I work next door to a veterinarian and get to see all kinds of furry friends. The best ones are the puppies. Oh....the puppies! It's great that my two coworkers love animals, too. Just recently we saw someone carrying a tub of puppies out the door. We all ran out and went gaga over these golden puppies who were lethargic from just having their shots. And just today, we were stressed and a little depressed and out walks a beagle puppy. He was soooo cute and it just brightened our mood. So, I guess one day we'll have our furry child.

I was also thinking about a hedgehog- they are so cute- Not sure if the are legal in Jersey

I would need to do a lot of research before I just went out a bought the little guy though

I really want a Chihuahua- I have a name picked out and everything-- LOCO the crazy pup- I am so pathetic

 

[Muushka]

I've got to post here-you guys will understand. I'm at HHI right now, staying with a CF friend, her sister, BIL and 18mth old. My friend had booked the trip with her points, wanting to take her family because they can't afford vacations. A lovely idea. Somehow, despite all my reservations, I got conned into driving down with my friend. I think she just didn't want to go 15 hours with her family-understandable. She had said something about everyone doing their own thing when we got here. I thought that meant, the family doing their own thing and she and I doing ours. Not so, it meant The Family doing their own thing and me on my own. I was ticked last night when I got dumped for a family dinner, but I'm over it now. I chose the single life and that means I enjoy doing things on my own, so it isn't that big a deal. I just didn't realize she was going to play doting aunt all week. I've been a doting aunt and it has it's charm-but this isn't my niece so I wasn't planning on being a doting friend.
Lesson learned-if you are a CF, and someone asks you to travel with the family-know from the get go that you are the fifth wheel and will be on your own.

Let me see if I understand this. They all went out to or served dinner and you were not included????

 

[Hixski]

Let me see if I understand this. They all went out to or served dinner and you were not included????

I was thinking the same thing. I hope not, that is just so wrong.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

It is still easier than having kids- all you have to do is hire a pet sitter to come in and let your dog out a few times a day and feed them- or drop them off at the "upscale" doggie kennel

Not for us. We don't do kennels, even "upscale" ones, because we do not do unnecessary vaccinations for our little dogs. Fact is, they don't even go for walks unless it is the winter and there is no threat of mosquitoes or fleas. We need an in-home pet-sitter that will stay overnight and that requires major advance planning and interviews. I have a six page book of instructions I leave for them and we carry our phone with us constantly in case they need to call us. I recall one phone call RIGHT before Fantasmic was about to start.

With my one dog getting acupuncture treatments every week and the very complicated holistic diet they eat, I actually think in many ways a kid would be easier than my dogs.

 

[Flyerfan]

I really want a Chihuahua- I have a name picked out and everything-- LOCO the crazy pup- I am so pathetic

Speaking of Chihuahuas....just last week at the vet, someone had one in their vehicle, the ones with hair at the ears and legs. He was sooo cute.

 

[goofygirl]

I've got to post here-you guys will understand. I'm at HHI right now, staying with a CF friend, her sister, BIL and 18mth old. My friend had booked the trip with her points, wanting to take her family because they can't afford vacations. A lovely idea. Somehow, despite all my reservations, I got conned into driving down with my friend. I think she just didn't want to go 15 hours with her family-understandable. She had said something about everyone doing their own thing when we got here. I thought that meant, the family doing their own thing and she and I doing ours. Not so, it meant The Family doing their own thing and me on my own. I was ticked last night when I got dumped for a family dinner, but I'm over it now. I chose the single life and that means I enjoy doing things on my own, so it isn't that big a deal. I just didn't realize she was going to play doting aunt all week. I've been a doting aunt and it has it's charm-but this isn't my niece so I wasn't planning on being a doting friend.
Lesson learned-if you are a CF, and someone asks you to travel with the family-know from the get go that you are the fifth wheel and will be on your own.

That was rude. They should have invited you to the dinner. I mean, what's one more person??
I actually would be glad not to have to spend time with them. Being around an 18 month old is not my idea of a fun vacation.

 

[Fitswimmer]

They should have invited you to the dinner. I mean, what's one more person??

Oh, they did-but my friend and I had made plans to go to Harbor Town. She dumped the plans with me as soon as her sister said they had cooked dinner and the baby "wanted her aunt". Eating dinner with an 18 mth old is NOT my idea of appetizing.
I actually did have a good week, I learned that spending a vacation solo is not a bad thing. I read 5 books, got a nice tan and did some ocean swimming. The cool thing about being at a DVC resort is the CM's. When they notice you are alone, they make a point to engage you in conversation. It wasn't pushy, just nice. I'm looking forward to doing it again.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Don't miss this new childfree thread!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219634