I know my blog is called The Fierce-Loving Mama.  However, not only am I a mother to a beautiful son and daughter, but I am also the owner of an 11-year-old Australian Labradoodle named Rosie.  Therefore, I am a Dog Mom, as well.  If you are a dog owner, then you understand how your pets become solid members of your family.  I think it’s even safe to go as far as to call them our babies.  Now, please don’t stop reading.  Hang with me a little further, if you can.  I have a few things to say about this, so please don’t go anywhere. 



Can we talk, just for a moment, about dogs because I think there is validity to their place in our homes, and in calling us their “mothers?”  I am a HUGE dog lover.  I think most of the pages I follow on social media are dog accounts because they bring me so much joy.  The other day I was driving in my car, and just so happened to look over at the car next to me.  There, with the window rolled down, was the fluffiest dog hanging its head out taking in all the sights and sounds around him with the wind flowing through his hair.  In that moment, all I could do was smile, and hope that car was going in the same direction as me so that I could watch this happy dog living its best life on a Wednesday afternoon.  Not a care in the world and just content for a car ride and to smell the breeze.  Just watching him brought me such boundless joy.  It made me consider why these shaggy creatures provide us so much entertainment, delight, and quite simply, love.

I have a 21-year-old son and an almost 17-year-old daughter.  Both of my kids have been the loves of my life.  My favorite thing in the world has been being their mother.  There is no greater honor than carrying the name “Mom.”  They have provided me so many highs through the years, laughter, sweetness, and lessons learned.  Motherhood is not only full of highs, however.  It has its dark moments and many lows, as well.  It stretches our emotions, breaks our hearts, and can take us to the edge of ourselves when buttons are pushed.  The roller coaster ride of the highs and lows is real, but very rewarding at the same time.  Being a Dog Mom, though, is a bit easier.  Let’s be honest.  A dog’s love is completely unconditional.  No strings attached.  As long as they are fed and let out regularly, your relationship with them is pretty uncomplicated. In fact, even if a meal gets skipped, they will still look to you as their ride or die.   

I walked outside the other day to grab my mail and when I came back in the house, my dog was jumping up and down, squealing with excitement to see me.  I had literally only left her for one minute, and yet, she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm upon greeting me.  She loves me so much that being without me for even one minute left her breathless.  I am not sure even my husband can say that about me.  When I am sick, Rosie doesn’t leave my side, and will lay in bed with me as long as I am there.  Her loyalty is rock solid.  When I work from home in my office, if anyone walks by the window, she growls and barks in protection of me.  As I type this blog, I am currently on the couch and Rosie is laying at my feet.  She won’t get off until I do.  If I walk to the other room for something, she trails alongside, happy just to be my sidekick.  If I gasp at something I read or watch on TV, she immediately jumps up and comes over to me to check if I am alright.  And she has done all of this continually for the last 11 years.  It hasn’t gotten old to her and she hasn’t even had a day off in her care of me.  Yes, you read that right.  Her care of me.  Even though I do take care of her daily needs, she does far more for me in return.  If I am sad, she looks up at me with her big, brown eyes as if she can sense I am down.  She will put her paw on me as if to say she understands and is there for me.  She loves to cuddle, so I have a constant snuggle buddy and built-in blanket.  Even if I accidently step on her, she forgives quickly.  She cares intently and always searches my face for confirmation that I am okay.  It is simple love.  A committed companion who just wishes to shower me with relentless affection and doesn’t ask for much in return.

Which is why when it’s their time to leave us, the pain is searing.  Their lifespan is so short, which makes them that much more special to us.  Their love earth side is brief, but stays with us forever because of its purest and rarest form.  I have been following a dog online named Tucker for the past eight years since he was a puppy.  He suddenly passed away the beginning of September, and I was literally blindsided by the grief I felt.  I had never met this Golden Retriever in person, but for eight years relished in his daily posts of trying different foods, taking his owners roller skating, swimming in his backyard pool, and frolicking with his Golden Retriever son named Todd.  He became part of my daily life, and his owners felt like family to me as I watched them care for their adored pooch.  When Tucker died, a piece of me died, too.  I was so surprised by my intense sadness of his loss after only ever seeing him on my computer screen, but yet again that just speaks to how much dogs can affect us.  How just their presence, their unique personalities, and their cuteness touch our hearts in ways that humans cannot. 

Dogs truly are gifts from God, which is why we see them as service dogs, K9 helpers on police forces, guide dogs, and therapy dogs in hospitals and nursing homes.  Dogs are smart and keen, and can detect things such as cancer, natural disasters, drugs, and forthcoming seizures.  They calm people’s nerves at dentist offices, schools, and in airports when tensions can run high.  Is it any wonder then why we are so moved and touched by these furry friends?  Why we have multiple pets throughout the years because we don’t like to be without them?  Why we call ourselves Dog Moms?  It’s because our love for them runs deep.  Our hearts are connected in indescribable ways.  We get to watch them grow from puppies to generic dogs and everywhere in between.  And we get to help them at every stage in life just like we do with our own children.  And after all of that, they still refuse to leave our side.  A love like that is genuine, untainted, wholesome, and profound – and worthy of blog post.