The Fur Mom: I’m Not a “Real” Mom, But I Love Like One

Guest author Kimberly Gauthier is a writer, photographer and fur mom of 3. She’s publisher and editor in chief for Keep The Tail Wagging, a popular online magazine celebrating dogs and connecting dog lovers. Read on to see why I absolutely adore Kim, her confidence and her sense of humor.                         

 Whenever I see a little girl in a matching raincoat, hat and boots, I melt and think “I want a little girl named Willow.” Whenever I see a little boy in a superman cape and rubber boots, I think “I want a little boy named Zander.” Just because I don’t have kids, doesn’t mean I don’t adore children.

As I write this I’m pleasantly surprised that I’m forty-one. I’m FORTY-ONE years old. I’ve spent the past decade waiting for my biological clock to chime in. Envisioning Marisa Tomei stomping on the floor (My Cousin Vinny). I got nothing and I have no regrets.

I love dogs

I’ve always loved dogs. My mom loves to share stories of relieving dog owners of their pet and lecturing them when they knocked on my door. “If you would treat your dog better, he wouldn’t run away!” Righteous indignation in a tiny, black girl wasn’t something most dog owners expected to experience.

Today, we have three Australian Cattle Dog Mix pups who make us laugh every day. Each one is a rescue with a sad beginning that we’ve managed to make them forget with love and security. These are my fur kids.

I’m a Fur Mommy Blogger

I get left out of opportunities, because I’m not a Mommy Blogger, but I’m fortunate enough to belong to a community of bloggers (many of them are Mommies) who welcome me with open arms and recognize my Fur Mommy status.

I’ve managed to carve out a niche for myself and have found new opportunities. I’ve even been invited to give a Dog Mom’s point of view many times, something that I didn’t expect and I’m thankful.

Being a Fur Mom

Although I don’t have kids at home, I do have a few things in common with my Mommy Blogger friends. Our dogs have a routine that I developed. We monitor their behavior, diet, and poo, because this is how we know if things are good or not so good. We have vet appointments, play dates, dog training, and I cook the week’s food every Sunday.

Our dogs have toy boxes, blankets, beds, dishes, snacks, supplements and ice cream. Our dogs expect to leave the store with a toy too. Some people say that they’re spoiled; I say that they’re loved.

I don’t have to teach morals, but I do have to teach proper behavior. I don’t have to save for college, but I do have to save for pet sitters, veterinarian care, and animal behaviorists.

I stay up with them when they’re sick, I comfort them when they’re afraid, I play with them before bed, and I snuggle with them in the morning.

They’re my babies, my best friends, my dogs, and my path. God created me to love dogs. He brings them into my life to keep me on my path. He broke my heart when He took Riley away and helped me mend it into a bigger and stronger muscle, ready to make a difference.

So nope, I’m not a “real” mom, but I think I love like one, I worry like one, I’ll go to battle like one, and I’m exhausted like one.

Now if you can just tell me – how in the world do Moms who have children AND pets do it all?