Anyone who knows me knows that I have a dog and that he is my absolute world. My entire schedule revolves around him needing to eat, go outside, or simply needing some company. Having a dog can help teach someone responsibilities and just what it means to take care of a living creature. I've had dogs all my life but the one I have now is just my dog, not the family dog, and he has made himself a special place in my heart: my child.
Now this might sound ridiculous to some people because how can you consider a dog to be your child? Our species aren't the same and it's not like you gave birth to the dog. While this may be true, we do still share a special bond. Most puppies are adopted by family's when they are about eight to ten weeks of age and are still developing which is the perfect time for them to imprint on a new parental guardian AKA you.
From that point you are suddenly raising this small little thing into an adult. You feed them, train them, teach them. It's like raising a child and helping them take their first steps (though, luckily, these babies have already worked on that). I remember how happy I was to start raising my dog into the big adult he was to be, though he's only ten pounds full grown so he's more of a small adult. I learned his personality as he grew and adapted to it. I learned his favorite blanket and his favorite toy to sleep with. Not only have I raised him but we share countless memories together that, as cliche as it may be, I will cherish forever. There were lots of first like walks in the park then funny moments when he may roll around on a bone. All of these create a bond between us, one that cannot be broken.
Having a bond with your dog is important and, in my opinion, that is the base of the the whole "my dog is my child" type of thing. When you create this strong bond based upon love and memories and an over-excessive amount of face kisses, you are also creating your own family with your dog. Let's say you live alone and with your dog. They quickly become family and soon are even the ear that listens to all of the latest gossip. My dog became such a key part in my life thanks to forming this bond, and seeing him as my family. But that bond and mixing in the whole responsibility hoopla and a little bit of raising him up, and not only was he family but my son.
My dog gets goodnight kisses and I tell him goodbye whenever I leave. I even buy special treats for him every once in awhile just like I would myself. I make sure he always has his special toy when he sleeps and that he gets plenty of room on the bed. He might just be a dog but to me, he's my fur baby.
