Look out! There's a dog mom coming your way!
It's me hi, I'm the problem, it's me. But in all seriousness, as a dog mom to a 3-year-old corgipoo, sometimes I think about the hold these creatures have on us. As silly as it sounds when you’re in your early to mid 20s trying to figure out your life before kids, your dogs become your children. It’s almost as if they’re a training course if you decide to “settle down” and have kids. Some even feel that being a dog parent is parallel to being a normal parent. In an article on The New York Post, Emily Lefroy wrote about a woman named Mary Rose Madigan. In said article, Madigan believes that people with fur babies should be awarded “the same flexibility and understanding as mothers of human children” when it comes to flexible work hours.
Personally, I’m not sure if I share the same opinion, but I can say that my dog feels like a child to me. You never understand the hold a dog can have on you until it becomes your whole world. In order for you to understand (and not think I’m crazy) let me introduce you to Maui, my 3-year-old corgipoo.
I mean look at her, can you blame me? Maui came to my life in the peak of COVID & I’m not gonna lie she was a result of my first stimulus check. It was April and I was feeling burnt out already, working 50-60 hr weeks and barely getting up from my desk at home. I would go days without even stepping outside and I knew I needed a change. Little did I know that change would ultimately alter the course of my life. Maui gave me a breath of fresh air, a reason to go on a walk, a purpose of my day other than work. Honestly, I think that’s why a lot of women in their 20-something years latch on to their dogs. They give us purpose beyond our ultimate “girl boss” mentality. Owning Maui has shifted my priorities for what I think is important, and really helped me focus on taking care of not only her but myself.
It seems silly to think about, but they do become like children. From paying for health insurance, food, treats, toys, and the occasional outfit it all becomes an expense to allocate your budget to. In my instance, she has everything from dresses to sweaters, to even winter coats and snow boots since we now live in NY. No amount of money beats the unconditional love you feel when they’re around you. And I believe that the same emotions come from having actual children. It’s not that crazy to make that comparison since for a lot of people who don’t want kids that’s what their pets become.
So what do I think about being a dog mom? Heck, I’m super proud of it. Maui has brought a light in my life like no other and without her, I think I would have way more mental health issues. She came to me at a time when things were uncertain with the world, and as that has settled she’s continued to improve my quality of life.
Here’s to all the dog moms out there, we know what these fur babies mean so let’s rock that title with pride!