I love this time of year for so many reasons, chief among them the wonderful opportunity to reflect on all of the blessings of the past year. I have so much for which to be thankful, and nearing the top of my gratitude list every year is…my dogs.
This post is for the moms with dogs, cats, bunnies, or other pets: welcome, and nod along. This post is also for the moms who sort of want a pet, but are concerned about the extra work: welcome, and allow me to sway you.
As a bit of background, I have an 18-month-old daughter, a 3-year-old little prince of a dog we adopted when he was a puppy, and a 5-year-old rascal dog we rescued just this summer. Both of our boys are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Sometimes, when I’m alone with all three of them, it does feel like I’m raising three toddlers bent on the destruction of themselves and their environment. Mostly, however, my boys are helping me raise my daughter in the best way possible.
They are teaching her unconditional love, compassion, and resilience. Our rescue boy endured five years of neglect before coming to our home. Despite his experiences, he doesn’t carry any anger or bitterness. His capacity for love and his constant sweet disposition serve as beautiful lessons in forgiveness and embracing the present, leaving grievances of the past behind.
They are teaching her to be gentle and respectful. She knows how to “gentle pet” and is learning to respect their personal boundaries when they are eating dinner or chewing a toy. She is learning that we treat all of God’s creatures with kind consideration of their physical safety and comfort.
They are teaching her to play joyfully and with reckless abandon. When they play together, there are no hurt feelings or competitiveness, just a simple pursuit of happiness. Watching them play together is so sweet it can almost not to be described with words.
As she grows, I hope they will teach her responsibility as she helps us care for them. When she faces tough days, I know from personal experience that they will be sources of great comfort.
Our dogs are also teaching me, every day. They certainly teach me patience as I need to understand their varying capacity to understand the rules of their environment and their limitations. I am often tempted to raise my voice, but the sweetness in my dogs’ eyes (seriously) reminds me to discipline with love and care, and those lessons translate into how I communicate to my daughter. They teach me to let go of my expectations – both the expectations I have of them and of myself as a perfect, tireless mother. They teach me to appreciate the little joys in life, which in sum create the great joys in life.
Does a pet require extra work for you as the mama? Of course. (And yes, unfortunately, the extra work will be done by you) The reward for that effort, however, is great beyond measure. Whether you choose a dog, cat, or allergy-friendly goldfish, that pet will be a wonderful gift to your entire family.
