Being A Dog Mum

March brings Mother’s Day and an opportunity for us to spoil our mums. Flowers, chocolates, breakfast in bed. But Mother’s Day isn’t just about our mums and human children. As dog mums, we know that sometimes our favourite family member is the one with a slobbery tongue and four legs.

Thinking about being a dog mum made us at Not From The Pet Shop realise quite how much changes when a dog joins your family.  

When you’re away from your dog, you will spend your time thinking about your dog.
Whether it is for ten minutes or two weeks, time spent away from the dog is usually accompanied by us wondering what they’re up to. Are they settled ok? Are they sleeping ok? Are they eating ok? Will the boarder make sure he’s warm enough? Will she get the cuddles she likes before bed? You’ll also ask for photographs to show he’s doing ok, and will be desperate to get back from holiday for cuddles.

You will spend more money on your dog than you do on yourself.
That cute personalised dog bowl you need for your kitchen? The orthopaedic dog bed that helps your dog’s joints? The on trend collar and lead set you just can’t resist? You know you’re a dog mum when you’re no longer wondering about buying that new top after payday, and instead it is a new toy for your dog that is top of the wish list.

You research your dog’s food more than your own.
It isn’t just the personalised dog bowl that makes your dog’s meal times special. Whether it is how to make the perfect raw combination, or the latest advice on which supplement is good for your dog’s coat, we spend more time reading the latest tips on how our dogs should eat. You’ve got it particularly bad if the organic coconut oil in the cupboard is just for the dog. 

You train yourself to train your dog.
When your first adorable puppy arrives, it doesn’t come with an instruction book. So, we turn to Google, Facebook groups, a dog blog, E-books, podcasts and anything else we can find to help us.

Your camera roll contains approximately 5000 pictures of your sleeping dog.
Sprawled out on the floor, sneaking a nap on your bed, or curled up in his cozy new dog bed, however they sleep, we want to photograph it. Legs in the air, head on your lap, curled up in your pillow, your phone is crying out for more space but you just can’t stop.

You start to recognise other people by their dogs and not their name.
Blonde lady with Milo the lab. Tall man with Lucy the staffie. Friendly family with Hugo the springer spaniel. Sound familiar? You share tips on where to walk that isn’t quite as muddy this week, the local dog friendly pubs and which beaches allow your dog to run around. You’ve bonded for life over your love for your dogs, but haven’t a clue of each other’s names.

You get an immediately uneasy feeling when you arrive home and the dog isn’t at the door.
Did you leave the kitchen bin out? Have they eaten the sofa? Are they destroying the toilet rolls again? We’ve all known that sinking feeling when we aren’t immediately greeted by a wagging talk when we walk through the door. And we feel the relief when they’ve just been dosing on their dog bed, just like we want them to.

You spend more time on your dog’s Instagram account than your own.
Your own social media accounts get neglected in favour of the 400 dogs your dog is friends with. Your dog has Instagram worthy bow ties and bandanas, and your hashtag game is on point. Whether it is #dogsofinstagram or #instadog your news feed is full of cute dog pictures. When that Instagram famous dog follows you back you’re the proudest dog mum.

You spend hours trying to get the perfect dog selfie
Trying to get the perfect dog selfie just never gets old. Getting the dog to look at the camera at the same time that you’re trying to press the right button on your phone, at the right angle, and trying to keep your eyes open is no mean feat. But the hundreds of attempts are totally worth it when you get that perfect snap.

Your favourite way to spend your weekend is with your dog.
Your dog can’t come? You don’t really want to go either. Whether it is long walks in the sunshine, learning a new trick at home or a few hours spent in a cosy dog friendly pub, your perfect weekend always involves your four legged friend.

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