Get a dog”, they said. “Children need a dog”, they said. “A house is not a home without a dog”, they said. What they didn’t say is that helpless little puppies can and often do grow to be big, 30kg, bark-at the-moon, let-me-onto-the-bed, catfood-thieving hounds that have an unnerving ability to worm their way into the deepest corners of your heart. And just when you think you have a handle on this new-found love and have instilled some discipline into the fifth (and possibly the favourite) child, you make the fatal error of adopting another furry child, rescued from the depths of despair.
Said sixth child is of the Jack Russell, can-barely-be-trained, likes cuddles just after indulging in cat poo for breakfast ilk. Or rolling in mud before jumping onto a clean, white bed. A special art, that.
But I digress. The point of this convoluted introduction into the characters of our dogs, Lola (3) and Snowy (1), is to explore why it is that dog-mom guilt feels that much more visceral, intense and heart-wrenching than human-mom guilt. What’s with that? Part of me thinks it’s because they are somewhat helpless without us, but another part thinks that we have entered into a polyamorous relationship with two narcissists who – like the very worst of their human counterparts – can never be rehabilitated.
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Balanced Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Balanced Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CHOCOLATE CHECKOUT
Easter calls for everything chocolate and we've got six spectacular ways to satisfy your sweet (and savoury) tooth.
Bye-bye BFF
We all age at the same rate, but we don't all grow up at a matching pace. So, what do you do if you feel like you're outgrowing your friends?
The science of SLUMBER
According to world-renowned sleep expert and neuroscientist Dr Matthew Walker, sleep is our best superpower. Here's why...
Money mindset MATTERS
Looking for less stress and more progress when it comes to reaching your #moneygoals? Here are five positive money habits to cultivate on your journey to financial freedom.
FUTURE PROOF - YOUR CAREER
\"Soft skills\" are more crucial to your career than you may think. We look at some of the most important professional skills you can attain to safeguard your working future...
HEAR THEM Roar
Through resilience and determination, these three extraordinary South African women have emerged as trailblazers. Here's how Candice Chirwa, Mushfiqoh Samodien and Julia Stuart make the impossible possible and the world a better place.
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE
Pretty Yende has performed in the world's grandest opera theatres. She'll tick off even more this year, but she's driven not by a bucket list but by a burning curiosity to see how far she can challenge her voice and herself.
5 MINUTES WITH LEBOHANG MASANGO
SOCIAL ANTIIROPOLOGIST AND AUTITOR
Shall we DANCE?
I can confirm: It does take two to tango.
Empowerment UNLOCKED
Working women face a unique set of challenges both globally and here in South Africa. We find out what you can do to get fit for financial success.