The Perils of Pet Grandparenting
Somehow, we always get left with the anxious pups
Because my husband and I raised three children, I always hoped we’d get to be grandparents some day.
What I wasn’t ready for, however, was to become a pet grandparent, specifically, a dog grandma.
While I appreciate the idea of dogs in theory, having my house overrun with canines, especially anxious canines, isn’t fun.
Let’s be honest.
When the United States celebrates the Fourth of July with all of its loud music, folks walking around town, and yes, incessant explosions, it’s really, really, miserable to be housing a couple of extra and anxious dogs.
All three of our adult children own both dogs and cats. But cats are easier to grandparent by far. They can generally stay home while their owners are away. Cats adjust well to a neighbor popping in and out every few days to freshen the water and pour more food into the bowl.
But dogs? Yeah, they require more care. Much more.
We’ve watched all of our children’s pets at different times as their humans have navigated college, frequent moves, work trips, and special vacations with significant others. But now, due to life circumstances, we really only get stuck with our middle kid’s…
