Actually, I’m not trying to be discriminatory. Happy Mother’s Day to all moms!
It’s just that some people turn their noses up at, or take offense to, women like myself who treat their pets like kids and consider themselves moms nonetheless. In years past, I have had people balk when we get to talking about how our husbands celebrated us on Mother’s Day.
“Wayne gave you a card? He made you breakfast in bed? He took you out for a nice dinner? Why? You guys don’t have any kids.”
No, I don’t have kids. Well, what I mean to say is, I don’t have any human children. It’s true that I have never given birth to or adopted a baby. I have, however, adopted (or otherwise taken in) three little angels who are as precious and dear to me as if they were my own flesh and blood. To me, they are my children; to them, I am their mom.
Yes, my kids have needs that are less traditional and demanding than moms with human kids. Generally, I don’t have to watch them 24/7. I don’t have concerns about getting them off to school, or whether they’re receiving a satisfactory enough education. There’s no college to save for, no sports activities to schlep them to and from, nor any of the other trials and tribulations usually associated with childrearing.
Still, I am faced with some of the same problems moms of human children know. Potty training, discipline issues, taking them to the vet for annual vaccinations, waking up with them in the wee hours when they’re sick, keeping harmful substances out of their reach….
I can also commiserate with working moms, as even though I work from home, there are those times when work demands too much of my attention, I neglect my kids, and I suffer the guilt. I even know some working pet moms who use doggy daycare services and drop off and pick up their pooches every day just like “regular” working moms.
I also know about scheduling play times, play dates, and determining which neighborhood pals would make suitable mates and which would be bad influences. We take trips to the park, I’m responsible for packing their bags for vacations, and on the times they can’t join us, I’m in charge of finding a trustworthy sitter.
Pets are easier than kids, I admit. (I’ll also admit that’s one of the reasons I haven’t dared ventured into that other realm of motherhood.) But I am a mom to my little darlings in every sense of the word. And I know many others like me who are too.
So to you, the pet moms who love their critters as fiercely, devotedly, and unfailingly as a “real” child, who dote, fret, and pamper over their well-being and happiness, Happy Mother’s Day. Your kids wouldn’t be what they are without you!
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