Pet moms know that having a four-legged companion brings with it a number of benefits for the human. A pet can help a person feel less isolated (a real benefit many new owners discovered during the pandemic). Pets reduce our stress and help us relax. They can lower our blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression, even help to ease chronic pain. And if you adopt a pet from your local animal shelter or rescue group, it makes room for another animal to have a chance at a new forever home!
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On Mother’s Day, we celebrate that special bond between mother and child. We honor mothers for their love and hard work, their sacrifices, their dedication to raising their children. But for some women, their “children” have fur and paws and tails. I’m talking about “pet moms”.
It’s true that many of us think of our pets as family. We want to include them in our celebrations, take them with us on vacation - or stay home during a pandemic and realize just how much an animal can be a true companion and friend.
There are those who strongly object to the term, “pet mom”, saying you may treat a pet as a child, but you would never treat a human child as a pet. For example, you would never leave your child in the backyard all day with some dry food and a bowl of water while you ran errands. But – I know women who love their human children, and grandchildren, and who still refer to themselves as pet moms.
There are similarities between being a mom to a human child and being a pet mom. Children and pets have to be fed, bathed or groomed, potty-trained (or housebroken), taught what to do and what not to do, cared for when they are sick, reassured when they are frightened, comforted when they are upset. Children and pets have to be loved. It brings out the best in them, and in all of us.
There are so many “pet moms” now that (for dog owners, at least) they are recognized with their own national day. The second Saturday in May is officially “Dog Mom’s Day”. It occurs right before Mother’s Day, which is the second Sunday in May.
If you think you would like to become a “pet mom”, visit your local animal shelter or rescue group and adopt a new furry friend of your own. Whether you call yourself a pet mom or not, you will find out what so many of us already know, that the companionship of a dog or cat makes our world a nicer place. I learned that from my own mom, when she and I were speaking of pets.
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