Do people really think having a dog is the equivalent of having a child?

Animals are animals and they should be treated like animals. Yes, you have to care for them well and to some extent you have to love them, but as an animal. There are boundaries than cannot be overstepped. To engage into relationships with animals as substitute for people (or calling them your children) is strong indication of a mental disorder of some sorts or signs of personal disconnection with reality. In my opinion people who treat their dogs like children (or any pet for that matter) are engaging in borderline softcore bestiality.