This is biased and if your child is crying, you don't know what the hell you're doing. I love my kitty, and dogs are nice, but it's not all I want out of life. This whole thread took what I said out of context. I want a child later in life. At the beginning of a relationship, I understand not having a child. You have to make sure you and your partner can take care of something like a cat, then a dog before moving on to the responsibilities of owning and raising a child. I understand not wanting children at all, a lot of people shouldn't be passing on their DNA anyways. But just stopping at animals is boring as hell. Chances are your partner will want more later on, why stick with someone who won't want kids if you do, or* someone who wants kids and you don't?