How being a fur mom taught me about life and the real world
Being a fur mom has been an adventure. Every morning, I’m awakened and welcomed by three smooshed faces who are always hungry. My days end with the three of them curled up in a fluffy ball — snoring peacefully. These are my three dogs, and there’s one more on the way.
My two English Bulldogs and Frenchie taught me to take fur parenting seriously. It’s tough taking care of them, and there are simply moments when I feel like I'm done with their endless shenanigans.
But the experience is life-changing. Even if I don’t want to have kids anytime soon, I've picked up quite a few valuable lessons from being a fur mom that are worth sharing. Here they are:
Manage your time wisely
Dogs crave your love and attention. You might be busy with your everyday tasks but you can’t leave them behind.
Being a fur mom is about managing your time wisely. Being overwhelmed with work or school is not an excuse to neglect your dog’s needs. You need to set aside a few hours of your day to give them food, water, playtime, cuddles and more.
Schedule your dog’s mealtime accordingly so you can adjust it to your schedule. If you’re looking for an energizer, spend time with your fur baby. He or she will love to shower you with kisses.
Budget your money
As a fur mom, it’s not just about you anymore; it’s about you and your fur baby (or more). Before adopting or buying a dog, make sure you have the budget for it. A dog needs food, water, shelter, regular vet checkups and toys, among others.
Owning a fur baby or other pets is a financial responsibility. Ever heard of jokes about your suweldo all going to your dog? It’s true.
Owning a fur baby or other pets is a financial responsibility. Ever heard of jokes about your suweldo all going to your dog? It’s true.
Be patient
Behind your dog’s adorable face lies a (somewhat) pesky side. There are moments when your fur baby will mess up your room, ruin your valuables, or poop around the house. They will be guilty, and there’s a 100 percent chance that they’ll do it again.
Having a fur baby will test your patience. Even if you feel like screaming or locking them up to teach a lesson, this doesn’t work. These “discipline methods” might unknowingly hurt them.
Be patient in teaching your dog what’s right and wrong. Start by using positive reinforcement like treats and work your way from there.
Problems are not solved through force
Hitting or spanking can affect your relationship with your fur baby. Contrary to what some dog owners believe, it’s a form of punishment. There are many ways to encourage good behavior in your pooch.
It definitely helps to be patient when it comes to interacting with your dog. The same thing applies to life as well. If you’re experiencing problems, harsh methods don’t help. It’s better to solve things one step at a time.
Love is expressed through actions, too
For humans, showing your love through words is one of our languages. Dogs cannot communicate like people, but they express love in their own way.
Dogs show their affection through licking your face, lying on their back for belly rubs, giving you their favorite toy, leaning, and so much more. I don’t express my feelings well but my dogs taught me that I should find my love language.
It doesn’t hurt to take a break
One of the main reasons why dogs are well-loved is because of their easygoing nature. Even if times are tough, you can be sure that they’ll stay by your side to express their support.
Since dogs can sense stress, they make sure their hoomans are okay. They give hugs, slobber you with kisses, and so on. At the same time, they invite you to play or join them on walks — which is considered a break.
It’s understandable if you have a busy day. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t spare a few minutes for yourself and your fur baby. Take time to breathe; you deserve it.
Being a fur mom to three adorable dogs is fulfilling. If you look past your doggo’s cuteness, there are a lot of life lessons that you can actually gain from them. It’s indeed hard work to raise a fur baby, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.