Some dog owners love to be called “dog moms” or “dog dads” and they gladly refer to their pets as their fur kids. On the other hand, some people don’t like to think of their pets as their “kids.”
I asked five mothers how they feel about being called dog moms, and here’s what they had to say.
Do you consider yourself a dog mom?
Lisa Cohn, Portland (pictured above)
Mother of 3 human children and 1 dog
“I'm happy to be called a dog mom. I'm proud of the fact that I spend a lot of time caring for my pet, making him homemade food because he has allergies, taking him on walks to his favorite pee places, spoiling him, and loving him unconditionally for all the sweet, drooly, messy, farty love that I get in return.”
Lynette Whiteman, Toms River, N.J.
Mother of 3 human children and 2 dogs
“I am totally OK with being called a 'dog mom' because that is how I think of myself and my dogs. They are truly a part of my family and I love them with all my heart. I am responsible for their well-being and they certainly give me back plenty of love in return without attitude and going through adolescence.”
Dee Power, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
“I'm a mom and a grandmother of three granddaughters and two grandsons. I don't refer to Kate, our English springer spaniel or Rose, our Irish setter as my fur babies or that I'm a dog mom.
"Children grow up and leave home. Dogs don't. Children put their own needs first. Dogs don't. Rose and Kate are two of my best friends. Together with my husband, we're a pack.”
(Dee and her dogs wrote a book called "Rose and Kate Unleashed" that can be found on Amazon.)
Cynthia Stine, Dallas
Mother of 1 son and 2 Jack Russell terriers
“My teenage son is at a prickly age where I'm not allowed to hug him very much. He's 'a man now' so I can't mother him very much. My sweet doggies let me be as silly and nurturing as I want. I can hug and pet them to my heart's content and call them my babies without offending them. They keep me company during the day - I work out of my home - and yes, I talk to them.
"In short, I've become that crazy dog mom that I never thought I'd be, and I love it.”
Julia Simens, Incline Village, Nev.
Mother of two human children
“If you thought being an empty nester is hard - wait until the family dog dies and your nest is truly empty. Raja (pictured) was a great mover but not the best traveler. Three countries, five moves, over 20,000 air miles in 13 1/2 years. Yes, he was my fur kid."
How about the rest of you? Do you like being called a dog mom or a dog dad?
Did you catch our post from last year on the best things about being a 'pet mom'?
Want pet parenting tips? Check out these blogs.