Have you ever crossed a deep chasm on a narrow bridge? The trick to not getting giddy or scared is to keep your head level and don't look down! That's how I like to live, with death of course being the chasm.
I was surprised at how contentious this thread became, given that everyone is entitled to their own opinion about death, parenthood and pets.
Regarding death, I'm up the colder/intellectual end of the emotional spectrum, along with (I think) Frownland and OccultH. What sends me more towards the heartfelt/passionate end of the spectrum is not so much death, as human pain and suffering. That's what's really sad imo.
Me and my siblings were a group of four. Two of us had kids and two didn't, but there has never been the least suggestion between us that one choice was somehow superior to the other. We just respected each other's right to choose, and that's how it should be in this thread, frankly. Plus, of course, with the world population going off the scale, no-one should feel bullied into having a kid if they're not comfortable with the idea.
(See that last, exponetial red line? If you look very closely you can just make out my son in there. Let's all wish him luck please! )