Today my therapist told me that my pets were my children, that they were my kids and I felt accepted , I felt understood

for many years I’ve battle the constant argument of “ animals are not kids” so here’s how I see it:

I know I dint give birth to any of them, but I did adopt them from early age and was there for their first years of life.

Motherhood is accommodating your schedule to their schedule , even if this means missing some sleep and being really tired most of the time

Motherhood is teaching, maybe I don’t teach them how to speak or how to walk, but I teach them to “sit” “lay down” “stop” “let’s go outside” or “give mama kisses” – the last one being a very important lesson.

Motherhood is spending money on their needs instead of yours, maybe I want that cute outfit but my pet also might need that jacket for winter weather.

Motherhood is sleepless nights when they’re sick, is bottle feeding when they can’t eat, is cleaning what for many can be disgusting but for you is just your baby sick.

Motherhood is going out but missing them all the time, checking on them through your house cameras and coming back home earlier because they’ve been alone for too long.

Motherhood is talking to them, even when they can reply back, because believe it or not: they understand you

Motherhood is sometimes being really tired and wanting a break. Not wanting to throw the ball anymore or running around with them

Motherhood is understanding that , although incredibly hard, they might leave this world before you do.

Motherhood is being there for them on their last days, holding them tight and letting them feel your love until their last breath.

Motherhood is loving them sometimes more than your own life, because they are your reason to wake up every morning and the last thing you think about every night.

So yeah, maybe they’re not my “human kids” but my pets are my children, and I am their mama.