A few months back, I stumbled across a blog post from a frustrated mom fed up with the endless comparisons between raising kids and caring for “furbabies.” Her annoyance practically jumped off the screen. While part of me wondered why we need to be offended by every little thing, I couldn’t help but empathize.
Flash forward to now, and I’m a proud “Mommy” to an 11-pound, 10-year-old rescue pup named Rufus. In just a handful of weeks since he became part of our family, I’ve begun to see some striking parallels between looking after him and raising my two boys, Max (10) and Leo (6). So, either I’m on the verge of raising a pack of wild creatures—or maybe dogs and kids really do have more in common than I initially thought.
I Refer to Myself as “Mommy.”
My kids have known my name for years, yet somehow, I’ve found myself calling myself “Mommy” while talking to Rufus. I mean, how else is he supposed to learn who we are?
I Control Where Everyone Relieves Themselves.
I’ve uttered the phrase, “We don’t pee in people’s yards” to both my children and the dog. Spoiler alert: none of them listen. At least with Rufus on a leash, I can somewhat steer him away, but trust me, whether it’s a child or a dog, those dirty looks from neighbors are all too real.
Oops! We’re Out of Bags.
During a walk with Rufus, we ran out of poop bags. Yes, I’m one of those dog owners who cleans up after my furry friend. The panic I felt was reminiscent of discovering I’d used the last diaper in the bag—except there was no store in sight.
Leashes Are Life-Savers!
Okay, I never used a leash on my kids (thank goodness), but seeing how effective it is with Rufus, I now wonder if I should have. Where is he? At the end of his leash, and I never have to worry about him wandering off. If only I’d had that back when Max and Leo were toddlers!
Parks Are a Hit!
Rufus has the dog park, while my boys have the playground. Both are initially reluctant to go (because, let’s be honest, Mom’s car rides are always questionable—are we off to the dentist or school?). But once we arrive, everyone has a blast, and I get a few moments to mindlessly scroll through my phone.
Bathroom Aim? What’s That?
I haven’t watched my kids use the bathroom in ages (thank goodness!), but I certainly know how messy it can get. Rufus, on the other hand, has an audience each time. What I’ve learned is that none of them can hit the broadside of a barn. Not sure what my boys are up to in there, but I know Rufus is giving it his all (with limited success).
Love Makes Gross Things Bearable.
I’ve been peed on, vomited on, and even dug through mouths for treasures best left alone. Sure, it’s all still kind of gross, but love makes it bearable. I haven’t kicked anyone out of the house because of it. Not yet, anyway.
Bribery Works Wonders.
“Can you be a good boy? Mommy will give you a treat!” Honestly, I’m not sure who I’m talking to half the time.
Sleep, Please!
Mornings? No one is ready to start moving until around eight o’clock. Sure, that can make school prep a hassle, but weekends are a dream, especially with a dog who refuses to budge until the sun is fully up.
Now, I don’t think my furbaby is the same as an actual infant (even though dressing Rufus in cute sweaters is a blast and I wish I had some onesies left over from when the boys were little), there’s no denying the amusing similarities between the two.
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In summary, while having a dog might not equate to raising a child, the experiences can be surprisingly similar. From potty training to morning routines, both require a hefty dose of patience, love, and humor.