Yes, I am a fur mom, it’s true. I was, in fact, a fur mom before I was a mom of a “human” and I am profoundly grateful that I was.
I got my first dog when I was 22. A little spaniel cross, picked up as a puppy. A few short months later a dopey black lab cross was added to the mix.
As a “new mom” I was deeply committed to my pets. I spent hours at dog training classes perfecting their skills and then spent 4 years strutting around a horse ring wearing crazy costumes with the Superdogs Team.
I experienced all the same feelings for my dogs that I now have with my kids.
1. My dogs were better than your dogs:
Not only were my dogs gifted (see the super dogs note above) but they were cuter and more loveable than your dog, just don’t make eye contact or approach my spaniel when he is sitting on the couch (I can’t be blamed if he bites you when he is startled)
2. My dogs only get the best:
I cooked for my dogs for years.
Yes, you did read that right. I cooked EVERY MEAL they ate. But it was only because one had a skin issue, and someone else mentioned how the food they were eating could be causing the aggression issue in the spaniel (see note above)
3. My dogs opened my heart:
Loving a child is an emotion so deep it will scare you. I have my dogs to thank for letting me know how important this bond is, and for opening my heart to the emotions that a parent will experience when caring for something. We lost one dog in a tragic accident, when my first daughter was just 4 months old. Experiencing the loss of a pet is heartbreaking, and I was blessed to be able to have my daughter in my arms as I said goodbye.
4. My dogs made me a grownup
I was a parent of two young daughters and had been married for a few years. We had a mortgage, cars, jobs and were living “adult” lives. But, the first time I FELT like an adult was when my husband and I made the decision to put our goofy lab to sleep. He had cancer, and he was suffering, but standing there and saying goodbye after CHOOSING to do this, was the most responsible I have ever felt.
Being a fur-mom brought on moments of complete craziness, fear and deep love. My two dogs brought me through heartache and hard decisions and stood by my side for years as my companions and friends. And now, with our next pair of fur-babies, we get to experience it all again.
Whatever kind of mother you are (or father), you still feel all the same emotions of nurturing and protecting something. I applaud all of us, mothers of fur-babies, humans or even fowl!
And as mothers day approaches, Petcurean wants to celebrate ALL moms! By nominating a mom in the Savour Every mom contest, both of you could win 6 months of Petcurean pet food + $500 each. Check out the Petcurean Facebook Page for entry details! The contest runs from May 1-30th, so you still have lots of time to nominate your favourite mom!
And fur, human, who cares. . . in the end we are ALL moms!