Childless pet-owning couples read on:

Being a parent is (for most people) a "really big deal". It's life changing in a way that is impossible to describe in words, your offspring are present in your thoughts to some extent pretty much all of the time. There is a constant worry that you are not going to be a good enough parent, or that you are not bringing up your children to be happy and well balanced individuals. You need to consider your children in all of your plans for later life, even the trivial things like what to eat, where to go on holiday, what car to buy and where you choose to live (ok, that last one isn't really trivial).

Having a pet Dog/Cat/Hamster/Rat isn't the same.

I realise that when couples who do have children get together at a social event the talk often turns to their kids. I understand that you're probably not interested that little Molly took her first steps or whatever. Please try to bear with us until we get back to more interesting subject matter, maybe you could politely try to change the subject?
Please try not to compare your Gerbil with my Daughter, thanks ever so much!


Boring Couple #1: We're worried about Jake going to Nursery for the first time, he gets a little anxious if he's left with strangers.

Boring Couple #2: We started to take Sam a couple of times a week and stayed with him until he was comfortable with the place and the people.

Pet owning Couple: You're so pathetic! We leave Rex on his own all day and you don't hear him complaining!

Grrrrr!