---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Children are for people who can't have…"
description: "\"Children are for people who can't have dogs.\" — Jerry Smith"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png"
---

#  Children are for people who can't have dogs.

![“Children are for people who can't have dogs.” quote by Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png)

> “Children are for people who can't have dogs.”

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People who cannot own dogs often turn to children for companionship and purpose.

**In simple terms:** Children replace pets for some.

Key Takeaway

Consider the needs behind pet ownership.

Themes

companionship responsibility family

Mood

reflective lighthearted

Type

observational humorous

When to use this quote

- parenting
- pet ownership
- loneliness
- family planning

Key Concepts

psychology social needs

Questions to Reflect On

- Why might someone prefer children over pets?
- What does this say about human need for connection?

A Different Perspective

Not all adults lack desire for pets; some choose children for other reasons.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Canine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canine/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-people-480715/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogs/) [I love my dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-love-my-dog/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [My dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-dog/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-dogs-413584/) [Pet dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet-dog/) [Puppies and dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puppies-and-dogs/)

## Related quotes

> [I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/i-love-a-dog-he-does-nothing-for-political-reasons/)

[Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/)

> [Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/dogs-love-their-friends-and-bite-their-enemies-quite-unlike-people/)

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

> [...he will be our friend for always and always and always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/he-will-be-our-friend-for-always-and-always-and-always/)

[Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/)

> [I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-convinced-that-basically-dogs-think-humans-are-nuts/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orlando-aloysius-battista/a-dog-is-one-of-the-remaining-reasons-why-some-people-can-be/)

[Orlando Aloysius Battista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orlando-aloysius-battista/)

> [He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/he-is-your-friend-your-partner-your-defender-your-dog-you-are-his/)

[Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/)

> [The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-kaufman/the-pug-is-living-proof-that-god-has-a-sense-of-humor/)

[Margo Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-kaufman/)

> [The dog is a yes-animal. Very popular with people who can't afford a yes man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/the-dog-is-a-yes-animal-very-popular-with-people-who-can-t-afford-a/)

[Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/)

> [People who keep dogs live longer on average than those who do not. This is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/people-who-keep-dogs-live-longer-on-average-than-those-who-do-not/)

[Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/)

> [His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hill/his-head-on-my-knee-can-heal-my-human-hurts-his-presence-by-my-side/)

[Gene Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hill/)

> [He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hill/he-has-taught-me-the-meaning-of-devotion-with-him-i-know-a-secret/)

[Gene Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hill/)

> [When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hill/when-i-am-wrong-he-is-delighted-to-forgive-when-i-am-angry-he-clowns/)

[Gene Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hill/)

> [He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-hill/he-is-my-other-eyes-that-can-see-above-the-clouds-my-other-ears-that-2/)

[Gene Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-hill/)

> [The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs. - Jeanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-roland/the-more-i-see-of-men-the-more-i-admire-dogs-jeanne/)

[Madame Roland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-roland/)

> [In this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-graham-vest/in-this-selfish-world-the-one-that-never-deserts-him-the-one-that/)

[George Graham Vest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-graham-vest/)

## More by Jerry Smith

> [If you don't think it's safe, it probably isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/if-you-don-t-think-it-s-safe-it-probably-isn-t/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [Working safely is like breathing - if you don't, you die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/working-safely-is-like-breathing-if-you-don-t-you-die/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [If the shoe fits, buy it in every color!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/if-the-shoe-fits-buy-it-in-every-color/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [Don't learn safety by accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/don-t-learn-safety-by-accident/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [I may be a twin, but I am one of a kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/i-may-be-a-twin-but-i-am-one-of-a-kind/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [Playing with fire is bad for those who burn themselves. For the rest of us, it is a very great pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/playing-with-fire-is-bad-for-those-who-burn-themselves-for-the-rest/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [A man may smile and bid you hail Yet wish you to the devil; But when a good dog wags his tail, You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/a-man-may-smile-and-bid-you-hail-yet-wish-you-to-the-devil-but-when-a/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/vacation-a-period-of-travel-and-relaxation-when-you-take-twice-the/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [Safety isn't expensive, its priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/safety-isn-t-expensive-its-priceless/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright, Of soft and golden hue, Pierce through the future's veil and show, What fate now holds for you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/may-jack-o-lanterns-burning-bright-of-soft-and-golden-hue-pierce/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [To play with ten players for over half of the match is never going to be easy against anybody, particularly on their home field.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/to-play-with-ten-players-for-over-half-of-the-match-is-never-going-to/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [I shop like a bull - I charge everything!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/i-shop-like-a-bull-i-charge-everything/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [A gypsy fire is on the hearth, Sign of the carnival of mirth; Through the dun fields and from the glade Flash merry folk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/a-gypsy-fire-is-on-the-hearth-sign-of-the-carnival-of-mirth-through/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [Everyone thinks softball is a girl's game. But you only think that until you get hit with it on a line drive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/everyone-thinks-softball-is-a-girl-s-game-but-you-only-think-that/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

> [There's two to wash, two to dry; There's two who argue, two who cry; There's two to kiss, two to hug; and best of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/there-s-two-to-wash-two-to-dry-there-s-two-who-argue-two-who-cry/)

[Jerry Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

[Explore all 16 Jerry Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/)

## More Canine quotes

> [Oh, boy, I love dogs. I do have a great affection for all things canine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-walter-hauser/oh-boy-i-love-dogs-i-do-have-a-great-affection-for-all-things-canine/)

[Paul Walter Hauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-walter-hauser/)

> [The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/the-fidelity-of-a-dog-is-a-precious-gift/)

[Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/)

> [He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/he-is-your-friend-your-partner-your-defender-your-dog-you-are-his/)

[Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/)

> [Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us, and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/our-dogs-will-love-and-admire-the-meanest-of-us-and-feed-our-colossal/)

[Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/)

> [If you eliminate smoking and gambling, you will be amazed to find that almost all an Englishman's pleasures can be, and mostly are, shared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/if-you-eliminate-smoking-and-gambling-you-will-be-amazed-to-find-that/)

[George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/)

> [Say something idiotic and nobody but a dog politely wags his tail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-graham/say-something-idiotic-and-nobody-but-a-dog-politely-wags-his-tail/)

[Virginia Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-graham/)

> [There were studies that asked people in different cultures to draw pictures of their enemies, and the pictures all looked remarkably the same. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/there-were-studies-that-asked-people-in-different-cultures-to-draw/)

[Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/)

> [People who keep dogs live longer on average than those who do not. This is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/people-who-keep-dogs-live-longer-on-average-than-those-who-do-not/)

[Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/)

> [If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/if-you-get-to-thinking-you-re-a-person-of-some-influence-try-ordering/)

[Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/)

> [It doesn’t bother you that your canine brethren are being paraded around show rings like slaves?” “My canine brethren?” I said. “I don’thave any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-vaughn/it-doesn-t-bother-you-that-your-canine-brethren-are-being-paraded/)

[Carrie Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-vaughn/)

> [In this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-graham-vest/in-this-selfish-world-the-one-that-never-deserts-him-the-one-that/)

[George Graham Vest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-graham-vest/)

> [“I resist being called the "mom" to my dogs because I fear infantilization of the adult canines and misidentification of the important fact that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-haraway/i-resist-being-called-the-mom-to-my-dogs-because-i-fear/)

[Donna Haraway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-haraway/)

> [Here, Gentlemen, a dog teaches us a lesson in humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/here-gentlemen-a-dog-teaches-us-a-lesson-in-humanity/)

[Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/)

> [And there are also languages that divide nouns into much more specific genders. The African language Supyire from Mali has five genders: humans, big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-deutscher/and-there-are-also-languages-that-divide-nouns-into-much-more/)

[Guy Deutscher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-deutscher/)

> [The more one gets to know of men, the more one values dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-toussenel/the-more-one-gets-to-know-of-men-the-more-one-values-dogs/)

[Alphonse Toussenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-toussenel/)

[Browse all 89 Canine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canine/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Children are for people who can't have dogs.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jerry Smith"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-dogs/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Canine"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-dogs/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e0/jerry-smith-31570_canine_children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-d_2057012.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Children are for people who can't have dogs.” — Jerry Smith",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jerry Smith",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-smith/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Children are for people who can't...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-dogs/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-smith/children-are-for-people-who-can-t-have-dogs/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
