bk_blue Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Woman-breastfeeds-dog/2004/11/17/1100574501641.html Woman breastfeeds dog A New Zealand woman says she is breastfeeding her staffordshire bull terrier pup because she wants the dog to protect her baby girl as the pair grow up. Kura "Kat" Tumanako, of Hawke's Bay, on the north island, said she started breastfeeding the pup after her own baby stopped taking her milk. "I didn't want to waste it so I gave it to Honey Boy," she said. The pup was instantly hooked and has been having two feeds a day for the past week. Ms Tumanako said she would probably wean the puppy off in six weeks time. Her baby, Honey Pauline Philomina Flo, was born on August 29 and is now on bottled milk. "I wanted to raise it (the pup) with my baby," Ms Tumanako said today. "I wanted to bring it up with a baby. It will protect her as they grow up." The pup came from a litter of 10. "He drinks more than the baby. It doesn't hurt, but it's a little bit ticklish," she said. Ms Tumanako who is two months pregnant, said she did not care what people thought about her breastfeeding the pup. "It's my life, my responsibility. I make my own choices," she said. "I'm going to look after me, my baby and my puppy." Hastings veterinarian Sharon Marshall said it was uncommon, but not unheard of, for one species to provide milk to another. "But from a veterinarian viewpoint it's always better for any species to have its own milk. If a bitch was available that would have been better," Ms Marshall said. She knew of instances where a sow had given milk to puppies and dogs giving milk to cats, but had not heard of a human breastfeeding another species. "It's not going to hurt the puppy. I would be more concerned for hygiene issues for any baby sharing the milk," she said. Victoria University associate professor of anthropology Jeff Sissons said he was familiar with a practice among women from Papua New Guinea hill tribes who breastfed pigs, but he had not heard of any other instance of a human breastfeeding another species. The national president for the SPCA (Society of Prevention of Cruelty), Peter Mason, said there was nothing in the Animal Welfare Act that applied specifically to a case like this, but he had some concerns that the dog could develop long-term behavioural issues. "It doesn't sound like the animal is suffering. It's not a cruelty thing as such," Mr Mason said. The director of La Leche League, a support organisation for breastfeeding mothers, Rosemary Gordon, said she had heard of anecdotal cases involving mothers giving their milk to household pets or sick or elderly relatives, but she felt the matter was "beyond the league's area of expertise". - NZPA Quote
Cairn6 Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 What I don't get is how people find out about this stuff. Did the woman go around telling people she is breast feeding her puppy? I guess if your weird enough to do it in the first place you not all there enough to hide the fact your doing it. :o Quote
imported_Kat Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 This actually used to be incredibly popular in the days of the roman empire. Puppies belonging to the rich and famous had their own "wet nurses" who would breast feed them. Crazy world! :o Quote
BuddysMom Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 :o :o :o Hmmm I wonder what behavioral issues ... "Gee I got him to stop jumping up on men but he WILL NOT stop jumping up on women, wonder why?!" Quote
Seijun Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Hmmm, that is strange that she breats-feeds the pup but not her own infant. I see nothing wrong with breast-feeding an animal yourself, it's just a bit "different" I guess... :/ ~Seij Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 strange- I used to let the dogs have any milk that was left in Nicoles bottle poured into their dish Quote
bgb699 Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Very odd. My concern is that if shes 2 months pregnant, is her unborn baby getting enough nutrients if shes giving the extra calories and nutrients to her dog? Its a strange world.. Quote
ObedienceGrrl Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 Okay....puppies hurt when they nip your hands..... Can you imagine? My boobs hurt..... Quote
courtnek Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 people have sex with their animals too (VD got started from sex with sheep) but are usually less willing to admit it to anyone..... still......kinda weird. I wonder about the emotional stability of the woman...breast milk doesnt "go to waste", it is reabsorbed by the body if not being used......maybe she feels resentful that her baby wouldnt feed from her. Sometimes they dont. :o :o :o Quote
xavierandrea Posted November 17, 2004 Posted November 17, 2004 I think its weird but whatever floats her boat.. Quote
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