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Abstract

n reality set in — we were responsible for keeping this little dog alive. More than just a cute plaything, she needed food, water, walks, veterinary care, and so much more.Gone were the carefree weekend days we’d leave our apartment in the morning and not return until late at night. Now we either needed to stay close to home, so we could check on her every few hours, or find dog-friendly places to go and bring her along for the day.As smitten dog parents, we almost always chose the latter. Not only did we love being around Chloe, we recognized the fact that we were her entire world. If we left her home alone all day, she’d be sad, and we couldn’t bare the thought of that.Of course, putting a dog-friendly filter on our lives was a huge change. Bringing Chloe along with us most of the time meant taking turns going into businesses and only eating at restaurants with patios that allowed dogs.We quickly discovered she wasn’t a fan of other dogs, so when it came time to travel, we also opted to bring her with us, instead of leaving her in a pet hotel. This of course involved finding dog-friendly hotels and other activities, because of course, it was her vacation too.Not surprisingly, our family and friends were endlessly entertained by lengths we went to include our little dog in well, pretty much everything. Admittedly, we’ve always been a bit over the top, but can you really spoil your adorable rescue dog too much?Fast forward five years, and our first human child was born. Now, one year into parenthood, my husban

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d and I firmly believe Chloe helped prepare use for this live-changing role.Many people get super offended when you compare having a dog to having a kid, and I don’t understand why. Sure, raising a human is much more challenging than a canine companion. However, having a dog — or really any pet, for that matter — creates a foundation to build upon.The transition into first-time parenthood is incredibly hard, but I found it to be much easier since I wasn’t starting from scratch. I imagine it would’ve been more difficult to adjust if I had no idea what it was like to be responsible for another living being.Thanks to Chloe, my husband and I were no strangers to being woken up in the middle of the night, if she was sick, hungry, or needed to go out. We’d already grown accustomed to having to cut nights out short, because she’d been home alone too long. Our lives were already tailored to fit her needs, so when our son arrived, doing the same to adjust to him felt natural.I know it sounds a little crazy, but I don’t think I’d be the mom I am today without Chloe. She taught me a form of unconditional love that has helped me become more selfless.Little things like seeing her happily run around the park — when it was the last place I wanted to be — warm my heart in a manner I can’t explain. My son is already benefitting from this, and he has his canine sister to thank for it.Thankfully, Chloe is only seven years young, so she still has many more parenting lessons to teach me — and I’m listening carefully.</article></body>

My Rescue Dog Taught Me How to Be a Mom

Chloe laying on her brother’s baby blankets to learn his smell before we brought him home from the hospital.

It was — puppy — love at first sight. My husband and I had just walked into an adoption fair at our local PetSmart when we saw her.

Standing in a playpen-like enclosure with several other rescue dogs, the wild tail attached to her little eight-pound body made her stand out from the crowd. I pointed at her and turned to my husband, who nodded in agreement.

The volunteer from the rescue group introduced us to her — a one-year-old girl named Ginger. We took this tiny long-haired Chihuahua mix out for a walk in the parking lot and immediately knew she was our girl.

When we went back inside, my husband filled out the application, while I walked her up and down the aisles of the store, desperate to keep other potential adopters away from her — she was a popular one. We waited nervously for what seemed like forever, until we were finally given the good news that we were the lucky ones who got to adopt her.

The next day, the lovely couple who had been fostering her dropped her off at our apartment complex, and she was really ours. Her first order of business was to make herself at home on our bed, and ours was to change her name to Chloe.

We played with her and watched her check out her new surroundings, and then reality set in — we were responsible for keeping this little dog alive. More than just a cute plaything, she needed food, water, walks, veterinary care, and so much more.

Gone were the carefree weekend days we’d leave our apartment in the morning and not return until late at night. Now we either needed to stay close to home, so we could check on her every few hours, or find dog-friendly places to go and bring her along for the day.

As smitten dog parents, we almost always chose the latter. Not only did we love being around Chloe, we recognized the fact that we were her entire world. If we left her home alone all day, she’d be sad, and we couldn’t bare the thought of that.

Of course, putting a dog-friendly filter on our lives was a huge change. Bringing Chloe along with us most of the time meant taking turns going into businesses and only eating at restaurants with patios that allowed dogs.

We quickly discovered she wasn’t a fan of other dogs, so when it came time to travel, we also opted to bring her with us, instead of leaving her in a pet hotel. This of course involved finding dog-friendly hotels and other activities, because of course, it was her vacation too.

Not surprisingly, our family and friends were endlessly entertained by lengths we went to include our little dog in well, pretty much everything. Admittedly, we’ve always been a bit over the top, but can you really spoil your adorable rescue dog too much?

Fast forward five years, and our first human child was born. Now, one year into parenthood, my husband and I firmly believe Chloe helped prepare use for this live-changing role.

Many people get super offended when you compare having a dog to having a kid, and I don’t understand why. Sure, raising a human is much more challenging than a canine companion. However, having a dog — or really any pet, for that matter — creates a foundation to build upon.

The transition into first-time parenthood is incredibly hard, but I found it to be much easier since I wasn’t starting from scratch. I imagine it would’ve been more difficult to adjust if I had no idea what it was like to be responsible for another living being.

Thanks to Chloe, my husband and I were no strangers to being woken up in the middle of the night, if she was sick, hungry, or needed to go out. We’d already grown accustomed to having to cut nights out short, because she’d been home alone too long. Our lives were already tailored to fit her needs, so when our son arrived, doing the same to adjust to him felt natural.

I know it sounds a little crazy, but I don’t think I’d be the mom I am today without Chloe. She taught me a form of unconditional love that has helped me become more selfless.

Little things like seeing her happily run around the park — when it was the last place I wanted to be — warm my heart in a manner I can’t explain. My son is already benefitting from this, and he has his canine sister to thank for it.

Thankfully, Chloe is only seven years young, so she still has many more parenting lessons to teach me — and I’m listening carefully.