In honor of the wonderful bond we have with our fur-babies, here are 12 signs you're a dog mom, and proud of it:
- You sleep in a tiny corner of the bed while your dog spreads out luxuriously.
- You whip out your phone to show photos of your dog to people you’ve just met.
- You engage in “social petworking” – your dog has his own Twitter, Facebook or Instagram page (actress Amanda Seyfried’s Aussie shepherd, Finn, has over 13,000 Twitter followers, for instance).
- You watch “Marley & Me” when you need a really good cry.
- You leave social gatherings early because your dog has been home alone too long.
- You rock dog hair like a fashion accessory.
- You spell out words like “W-A-L-K” in the presence of your dog if it’s not actually time to go outside
- Your dog was a bridesmaid or ring bearer in your wedding.
- Your dog answers to his name as well as “Baby,” “Sweet Pea,” “Little Love,” “Mr. Perfect Handsome Boy,” “Fuzzy Buddy” and/or many, many other terms of endearment.
- You make decisions based on how your dog would react (See: “This apartment is nice, but where’s the closest dog park?”)
- People give you mugs or t-shirts with slogans like, “I’d go to the gym but my dog needs me” and “Dog Is My Co-Pilot” and “I don’t care who dies in the movie, as long as the dog lives.”
- You see a puppy and start wondering if your dog needs a sister or brother.
How to celebrate Dog Mom Day
- Plan outdoor activities: set aside time to spend with your fur-babies.Take your dog for a hike or nature walk. Visit a leash-free dog park to romp and play with your pup with other fur-loving families. Any of these simple, fun ideas will get you out into the world so you can both enjoy the freedom and exercise.
- Take special photos: Just like the mothers of human babies, make it a tradition to take an annual photo with your fur-baby. Don’t just snap an old-school Polaroid. Instead, find a photographer who is experienced working with pets, choose a few matching or coordinated outfits, and go all out. Remember candid photos are as much – or more – fun than posed shots. Hint: a photo shoot is a fabulous excuse to go shopping for you and your pet.
- Buy a new toy for your pet: Show them how much you love being their dog mom by giving them a new toy and playing with them for the day.