The First Day of School: Pet Parent Style!

I’m not sure if this post needs a “Wobble Warning.”  The title lets you know that we’ll be chatting about the first day of school.  I do mention pics of two-legged kiddos.  But the focus of this post is on Maddie, my four-legged kiddo.  Truly, this is a #DogMomProud post!  But since August can be a triggering month, realize that this blog is likely to stir some emotions—both griefy and joyous…

Well, it’s August.  So, you know what that means.  Social media is full of first day of school pics.  Because I know this can be quite triggering for we childless not by choice, I decided (as I so often do) to look at the first day of school from a different perspective.  The perspective of a pet parent who is redefining momhood as a dog mom!  But to share this pet parent perspective properly… (Wow.  That’s a lot of Ps…  LOL)  Anyway…  To share this perspective properly, I must go back to the beginning of our pet parent journey with Maddie…

The Summer of 2013…

We adopted Maddie at the end of July 2013.  At that time, I was a high school Spanish teacher and Dane worked from home.  We were glad to have a few weeks with both of us being home so that we could start potty training Maddie.  And so that we could get used to being pet parents to a puppy.

The First Day of School: Take 1…

Those first weeks were tough!  Though we lived in a small, one-bedroom apartment, we simply could not keep a close enough eye on Maddie!  She would squat right in front of us and potty!  And her energy level!  Woah!  It was through the roof!  So, our first “school” experience was to attend training classes with our little princess.  I wish I had a pic of her before that first class.  But her Dog Mom & Dad Dad were so flustered!  We couldn’t seem to get anywhere on time.  And right before we walked into class, Maddie peed all over Daddy!  Oh, good grief!

Working from Home & Maddie…

We did eventually figure out how to potty train properly.  After speaking with several trainers.  But Maddie’s energy?!  Well, once I returned to teaching, Dane was home with her by himself all day.  And he was having a terrible time getting any work done.  She wanted to play a lot.  And she was quite insistent that he give her attention.  When she was quiet, you’d better start looking for her.  Because she was probably chewing on books.  Or a pillow.  Or shoes.  Or the internet cables.  Yikes!

The First Day of School: Take 2…

Dane quickly told me that we had to “do something!”  So, I started looking into doggie day camps, which we have always affectionately called “school.”  I don’t have a photo of the first day we dropped Maddie at school.  I do remember that this Dog Mommy was really nervous and shed a few tears on the way to work!  I really didn’t need to worry, though.  Because Maddie adores school!  Truly, it is one of her favorite things!

The First Day of School & The Summer of 2021…

To do this day, Maddie attends school at least once a week.  She is always super excited when she realizes where we are headed.  And she makes herself known immediately, barking “hello” to anyone and everyone.

On Thursday, 12 August, I saw some first day of school pics of two-legged kiddos.  And I decided to join the fun.  So, I snapped this photo of our curly booty cutie as we headed into school.  There was no way I was going to get Maddie to sit and pose.  She was tugging on the leash.  I adore that I caught this moment when she was looking over her shoulder saying, “Come on, Mommy!  Let’s go!!!”  Oh, this photo makes me smile!

And I hope it makes you smile too, fabulous one.

Some Final Dog Mom Thoughts…

You know, I didn’t expect my primary parent role to be that of a dog mom.  But it is.  And I love it!  I love creating a phenomenal life for our Maddie.  Cooking for her, taking her to school, snapping a million photos of extraordinary ordinary moments with our fur baby…

I hope you’ll look for ways to redefine, to live your FABULOUS imperfectly perfect life…

If anything I wrote resonates with you, fabulous one, tell us about it in the comments…

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Featured Photo: Created by me, using Canva