The Three Types of Dog Owners

Sometimes, an owner is all three combined

Image from author’s photos.

Throughout my life, dogs have always been a part of the family. With maturity, my relationships have evolved through different stages as has my role as a puppy parent. Sometimes time influenced my interactions with pets while at other times the simple chemistry dictated the interactions. In my experience, dogs complete a family by teaching us about unconditional love and acceptance. However, at the same time I have learned there are different parenting styles for pets. How would you define your pet parenting?

Momentary mommies and distant daddies

The first type of dog owners believes their pet lives for them. They are childlike as they embrace their furry friends like stuffed animals. These owners have clothes for every holiday. On St. Patrick’s Day, they wear green, and red for Valentine’s and every year purchase a new Halloween costume to adorn. Christmas cards display their pup up and center posed perfectly.

These parents come and go throughout the day, pet their furry friend and leave after a short game of tag or some animal lovin’. Kids love to be accompanied to the bus stop and greeted passionately upon their return. Adults expect their best friends to jump up in excitement when they walk through the door because that…