Having dogs makes me a parent. While I do not have any human kids, I do have 4 dogs that I love unconditionally. When they hurt, I hurt. When they cry, I come running. I feed them, bathe them, give them meds, put them in bed, train them, discipline them, love them, and protect them. I keep up with their vet appointments better than I do my own doctor appointments. No dating unless they like my dogs. They are mine and I am theirs.
I gotta say, I never thought I would do some of the things I have done for my pets. Just as you would for a family member. For older dogs, I have helped them up and helped them hold so they can go potty. I have learned to go slow, talk loud, and practice patience. Maisy is getting senile so I have learned to repeat myself, and use tricks to get her to understand where to eat, where to sleep, etc. Maisy has a ramp so she can easily get into my vehicles with her arthritis. And of course she takes supplements and meds to keep her comfortable.
My counter top today (not including belly bands, special foods and maxi pads for Buddy):
But I never imagined I would be:
1. Diapering my male dog (belly band) for indoor peeing. Basically I change diapers while he learns to control himself. BUDDY LOVE the Boston Terrier.
2. Pampering a dog with different foods and mixes just to get them to eat. Spoon feeding. SHANTI SUPERMODEL the lab/chow mix.
3. Checking their poop to see how their food allergies are doing. SAM I AM the male Boxer.
4. And now, using a Q-Tip to pick out large "boogers" from a dog's nose that has dry eye/nostril so she can breathe. MAISY MOO the older female Boxer.
I have cleaned up pee, poop and vomit. Held dogs through the night. Taught them how to better get along in this world. Took them with me to run errands for them - food, treats, vet. Bought an extended cab truck to accomodate all my pups. Exercise around their needs. Wiped their eyes and noses. Cleaned their paws and ears. Doctored their wounds. Rushed them to the ER for a snake bite wound. TWICE.
How do I know I have parenting skills? I have dog love. And they have me.
I gotta say, I never thought I would do some of the things I have done for my pets. Just as you would for a family member. For older dogs, I have helped them up and helped them hold so they can go potty. I have learned to go slow, talk loud, and practice patience. Maisy is getting senile so I have learned to repeat myself, and use tricks to get her to understand where to eat, where to sleep, etc. Maisy has a ramp so she can easily get into my vehicles with her arthritis. And of course she takes supplements and meds to keep her comfortable.
My counter top today (not including belly bands, special foods and maxi pads for Buddy):
But I never imagined I would be:
1. Diapering my male dog (belly band) for indoor peeing. Basically I change diapers while he learns to control himself. BUDDY LOVE the Boston Terrier.
2. Pampering a dog with different foods and mixes just to get them to eat. Spoon feeding. SHANTI SUPERMODEL the lab/chow mix.
3. Checking their poop to see how their food allergies are doing. SAM I AM the male Boxer.
4. And now, using a Q-Tip to pick out large "boogers" from a dog's nose that has dry eye/nostril so she can breathe. MAISY MOO the older female Boxer.
I have cleaned up pee, poop and vomit. Held dogs through the night. Taught them how to better get along in this world. Took them with me to run errands for them - food, treats, vet. Bought an extended cab truck to accomodate all my pups. Exercise around their needs. Wiped their eyes and noses. Cleaned their paws and ears. Doctored their wounds. Rushed them to the ER for a snake bite wound. TWICE.
How do I know I have parenting skills? I have dog love. And they have me.
