Our Dearest Fur-Baby,
I’m sorry I haven’t been the best mom to you in the last few years. When we first brought you home 9 years ago, you were our entire world. We doted on you day and night with fun toys, walks, car rides, and lots of yummy treats. You were a superstar with potty-training and our Instagram and Facebook feeds were flooded with photos of your adorable little face hitting milestones, going on trips, or just looking cute. We gushed about you to our friends and family, updating them on all of your latest achievements and adventures – like the time you chased a fly in the house – talk about newsworthy!
The next few years were busier for your Dad and me – we got married, moved a few times, and started more demanding careers. Still, we rarely spent a night away from you, and we spent more hours snuggled up with you than each other. I’d say life was pretty good for all of us!
Then, after six glorious years of just the three of us, my belly started growing. You knew there was at least one “puppy” in there, if not more. You followed me everywhere for nine months {as if you weren’t already glued to my side} and would lay your little head on my round belly as if listening for the “puppy’s” heartbeat. We daydreamed about our fur-baby and the baby-baby taking adorable naps together like those cute videos we had seen on Facebook.
Once the baby arrived, Dad and I were beyond thrilled to see how quickly you loved and protected your baby sister. I remember crying a few happy tears watching you go on your hind-legs to peek over the side of the Rock ’n Play while the baby was napping to make sure she was okay. As hoped, you never left her side as much as possible. Although we had less time to snuggle on the couch and take walks, you seemed to be happy in your new role as the older sibling.
Being a mother to a baby-baby is much more difficult than I anticipated and I owe you an apology:
- I’m sorry for yelling when you bark. I realize now that you think you are protecting the house, and more importantly the baby.
- I’m sorry for forgetting to keep your food and water bowls full. If it helps, I also forget to eat myself sometimes due to sleep deprivation.
- I’m sorry for the lack of walks {although this one is mostly because your protectiveness makes it difficult when we encounter friendly neighbors or other dogs}.
- I’m sorry that I sometimes forget to let you outside regularly which causes you to have accidents in the house, and then I yell at you for it. It’s not your fault and I need to do a better job.
- I’m sorry for being upset that you take all the baby’s toys. You used to get ALL the toys and these ones must look like so much fun for you! I should get you something special, just for you, to remind you that you’re important too.
- I’m sorry my lap is occupied 99% of the time with the baby-baby. Soon she’ll be big enough that you can sit in her lap like you used to sit in mine. Until then, I hope snuggling in our warm bed at night will suffice.
- I’m sorry for all the times the baby has accidentally hurt or scared you. She’ll figure it out eventually!
Thank you for your patience, for loving us humans unconditionally, and for allll the kisses!!
Love, Mom
