‘Who needs kids when we have pets?’ This is the latest most common statement couples and married people use to answer the question why don’t they have kids yet or are they planning on having one.

“Pets are becoming a replacement for children,” said Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University. “They’re less expensive. You can get one even if you’re not ready to live with someone or get married, and they can still provide companionship.”

According to statistics, three in ten couples chose to raise a dog rather than a kid. However, we can’t deny the fact that raising a pet is way easier and less expensive than raising a child. If you’re at a cross path in your life and wondering if you should raise a child, scroll down. Maybe these photos of couples with their pets they treat as children will make you change your mind and go to the stationary today.

• How Family Life Does Actually Looks Like
• Doodle diary of a New Mom
• Dogs and babies playing and sleeping together