The Importance of A Family Pet
Our Dog Molly
Our dog Molly Mae is 11 years old now. I bought her when I was 24 years old and it was before I started dating my husband (Shh…this means I’ll be 35 years old this year, yikes). Molly Mae was my world, my baby. She was my companion through some pretty dark times, my workout buddy and so much more. Molly is a Minature Pincher, weighing all of 10.5 pounds. You should’ve seen the looks I got when I took her running with me. People thought I was cruel (at the time she may have weighed 3-6 pounds), but she loved it so much. Today I want to talk about why I believe family pets are important, how things have changed over the years and her favorite toys and even some new food & treats I’ve found recently.
(Disclaimer: This website is a source of income. Affiliate links are used throughout this website and post, and compensation may be received from those links and recommended products. Though income may be earned, the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I’ve used and/or believe in. Before consuming new foods or changing your diet, it is always recommended to consult with your physician first.)
Pet’s After Babies
I’m not going to lie, my dog Molly, after my son was born began to take the back seat a bit. My husband took on the role of feeding her, taking her out for walks, giving her treats, etc. I just didn’t have the time I once did, nor was she the center of my universe. Then, all of a sudden, my son was a toddler and things once again changed. My son began to want to play with her, help feed her, play with her outside and even taker her in the stroller(bike trailer) with him when we went for long walks or runs. Once again, she was with me and us all the time. We took her to the baseball fields when my husband played, outside to the park, etc. The same two cycles then repeated themselves when my daughter was born.
Can any of you busy moms relate to this?
The Benefits of a Family Pet
Though Molly once was the center of my universe, now plays a different role, she is the family pet. All four of our children love her (I have two older step-children as well). The oldest kids always let her cuddle under blankets with them, my son likes to play fetch with the ball with her and my daughter is in the stage of following her around and giving her kisses, oh and sharing her food which Molly loves.
TRUST. RESPONSIBILITY. LOVE. COMPASSION. RESPECT.
There are many benefits of owning a pet. Pets teach children valuable life lessons like trust, responsibility, love, compassion, and respect. While pets offer a lot to children, the children actually offer a lot to the pets as well. As I mentioned, I have a lot more responsibilities than I did when I was 24, so Molly, unfortunately, isn’t as high on the list as she used to be. This is where my children come in; they are the ones who play with her, give her exercise, show her the love she needs and even offers her cuddles at nap or bedtime. The love between my children and Molly is so fun to see.
Our Favorite Pet Products
A year or so ago, Molly was diagnosed with Pancreatitis. This has been very manageable with just what we feed her or not feed her for that matter. The key is keeping all of her food and treats low-fat. I’ve recently worked with the CEO (Roger Morgan) of pawTree, a pet product company whose vision is to create a world filled with unconditional love where pets and their people thrive together. Roger, after listening to my concern about Molly’s pancreatitis, consulted with his veterinarians on staff to assure me that their pet seasonings would be safe for her. Their pet seasonings also happen to be one of their most popular products. I know why they are so popular now because Molly absolutely loves them! pawTree also has a lineup of cat and dog foods, made from only the highest quality ingredients. Visit their website and be able to shop for your dog’s specific health issue, for treats, for toys, potty training resources and so much more. They really are a one-stop shop for your family pet. Another benefit is you can sign up for an auto-ship type program and have the items delivered when you need them. Bonus for this busy mama.
Choosing The Right Pet For Your Family
If you don’t have a pet now like I do and are thinking it is something you want for your family, be sure to make sure you pick the pet that is truly right for your family and your living situation. Being that I have always lived a very busy life and continue to do so after children, it was important to me to choose a pet that was smaller and that would travel well with me (now us). Molly, being that she is so small, is able to go most places with us. If we do have to leave her behind, she does well staying at home for the day or with friends and family for long periods of time. Think of these factors before choosing your pet; Do you already have a pet? What are you looking for in a pet? Do you have any limitations in your neighborhood or home, in general, that would restrict certain pets? Do you have time for this pet? Can you afford this pet? Is the pet good around children or people in general? Don’t rush into this decision, it indeed a decision that will affect your entire family and lifestyle.
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