Dog Mama Guilt

I’ve attempted to write this blog entry for a long time.

There are a million reasons why so much time has passed, but the biggest reason is that two and a half years ago, my world was turned upside down. On March 30, 2008, I welcomed Lincoln, my first two-legged child into my family.

I had never imagined the impact two little feet could have on my world. Hours previously spent cuddling on the floor with Jeter and Aardvark were now spent feeding, changing, cuddling and entertaining Link. By the time he went to bed, after working a full-time job and taking care of a baby, I was exhausted.

But, the reality is that what has really kept me from writing this entry has not been Lincoln, but the Dog-Mama guilt I’ve experienced since his birth. Before he was born, I recall specifically saying (and feeling!), “I just can’t imagine loving anyone more than I love these dogs”. Then…BAM! My world was rocked by the power of the love I felt for my first biological child. It was overwhelming and confusing. Like my love for our dogs, it was unconditional, but it was clear from the beginning that this love was just different.

The thing is, I had been a “dog person” and a “dog mama” for a very long time. The new addition of “biological mama” to my identity had thrown me for a loop. But…with time, I’ve realized that the short break from paying the dogs my undivided attention has been paid-back (and then some) as our son has grown into an independent, dog-loving toddler! He, like many children, is drawn to his older siblings. Now, at two and a half he throws the ball for them, feeds them dinner and loves to help take them outside. He hugs them, kisses them and shows little regard for dog hair or drool (thankfully!).

Earlier this summer, we ventured off on our first family vacation since Lincoln was born. We swam, canoed and enjoyed the sound of crickets and frogs lulling us to sleep. Link was thrilled to explore a new world with the dogs and every memory we created was a reminder that, although our life had changed, it was better and richer then ever before. We get to share our love for our dogs with our son!