Babies are absolutely adorable. They're cute, little, seemingly drunk, mushy, giggly, spastic, and curious humans in the making. They're little bundles of love that you just adore snuggling and playing with. Puppies are similarly adorable: also cute, big or little, fluffy, also mushy, et cetera -- you get the deal.
I won't be having any babies of my own, as far as I know, right now. I love kids, but they're not for me; I neither trust myself to be in charge of another person's entire life, nor do I find children appealing enough to live with for 23 -- or more -- years. I also find pregnancy extremely unpleasant, and adoption too much of a hassle. There is, of course, something beautiful about growing an actual tiny human on your very own, and something heroic about taking in a formerly abandoned child. I just think puppies are a significantly better fit for me. I'm definitely not saying that taking care of dogs is the same as taking care of a real kid. I know it's so different in so many ways, as well as significantly less challenging.
But, like, puppies are just so much better. They don't smell every time they poop or pee. They need to be trained, obviously, but they don't get all gross every time they need to use the bathroom, which is really nice. They don't smell like B.O. when they get older. They aren't perpetually sticky from the peanut butter-and-jelly they ate days ago, or from the new boogers they just dug out.
They might cry or bark when they want food, water, to play, to use the bathroom, or even when they want cuddles -- just like human babies! But unlike human adolescents and teenagers, they only whine when they really need something. Puppy babies don't complain about not getting the latest iPhone, or rather, not getting it in the color they wanted; or about wanting to camp outside of their local mall for the release the newest Jordans, or whatever obscenely expensive shoe is popular with the youngsters, nowadays.
Puppies and dogs are far less expensive than real kids, as well. You can spend, like, a million dollars on your children throughout your life, which is a lot! It's obviously important to pay for everything your child needs, like school and medical and all; and things that they want, so they stay sane. But that's still a lot of money to spend. Puppies' clothes are only optional, and their food is simpler, and they don't need schooling (unless they're ruthless.) It would be nice to settle down with my future husband and live as a DINK (double income, no kids). My pre-calc teacher in high school used that term once to describe my economics and criminal justice teacher: a married, wealthy, and happy father of two cats, whom he adored. I never would've thought that after all those talks about how gross kids are versus how cute kittens are, that I would end up on the same boat!
Most importantly, puppies will love you, and others, unconditionally. While there are parents out there with strong bonds with their children that may never be broken, there are also children who think it's uncool to love their parents; similarly, there are plenty of broken, unfixable relationships between parent and child. The only way a dog will reject you is if you leave any marks on it, aside from kisses. They will always be so happy to see you, and will always be there for you; as well as nearly everyone else they meet. They're not racist, either, so you don't have to worry about your dog being mean to someone else for a stupid reason.
Babies are great, but puppies are even greater; and I will (probably) always stand by that opinion.
