The recent bill to ban pit bulls have created quite a stir in Ontario. Dog owners protested the bill with ferocity rarely seen in this country. Pit bull owners say that their pets do not pose a threat to others and that the press have overblown incidents of pit bull attacks. (Not being a dog owner, it is difficult for me to understand anyone would consider a pit bull a suitable pet.) Sometimes it is difficult to understand the minds of these owners — the owner of a pit bull that had injured three people said that the dog is well-behaved. A lawyer even said that this dog can reform if it undergoes psychological treatment. Any volunteers?
Dog is said to be a man's best friend. It used to be just a saying (maybe I'm wrong with that, I'm not sure), but now it is true for many. They lavish their love towards their dogs and become anxious when their dogs fall ill. They celebrate the dogs' anniversaries (of the day the dog was bought/picked up) or birthdays (if the dog was born at home). There are some people who don't share their deepest emotions to anyone, except their dogs.
Today there are many services that are geared toward dogs. Gone are the days when "dog hotels" are simply basic kennels and all a dog trainer teaches is to tighten the leash when your dog disobeys you. Today dogs can be treated to a gourmet meal, with actual waiters serving them; they can be pampered with a spa day by people whose main job is to groom pets. It may appear that many people are treating their dogs better than their human friends and relatives. In fact, it is not a stretch to say that many people treat their pet dogs as if they are their children (not that surprising, considering that many choose to delay having children, if at all).
Unlike kids, dogs don't throw tamper tantrums or make faces at you. Dogs don't yell at you and they won't turn its owner's place upside-down (if properly trained). Dogs are easier to toilet train than children (it may not be true) and you don't need to hear your dog begging you to buy the latest in fashion, games, or gadgets (not yet, at least). You would probably spend less in training a dog than in educating a child, not to mention the cost in enrolling a child in various activity programs.
However, you cannot have a real conversation with a dog, since you don't know what it is "saying". You can express your joys and sorrows towards a dog, but it cannot say anything back at you (although sometimes words may backfire). If you teach a child a skill or trick, he/she can teach it to someone else, whereas a dog cannot (at least as far as I know).
I don't know much about having a dog or raising a child (since I never owned a pet or took care of any children). Also, I don't think many own dogs because they are a substitute for children. I guess all I am doing here is to try to plunge into a dogowner's mind and see why they are so attached to their pets. (I still don't get why some many people are attached to their pets. Maybe I just don't get it?)