Today I wanted to write about The Guilty Dog Owner. I’m actually writing a confession about myself and how I sometimes feel as the dog owner to Yoda and Casper the family Bichon Frise Dogs.
So I’ll begin by saying I absolutely love my dogs. Casper is a loyal companion and is always there for me when I need company. Yoda is the baby and loves to get love and attention. Yoda is also known as Mr piggy wiggy because you’ll often find him searching for food. He will eat anything from wallpaper to grass. He just loves food. Casper craves attention and cuddles. He came from a home where he was previously abused and as our pet he gets lots and lots of love and he knows he is special.
However, I often feel like the guilty dog owner and today I’m going to say why…
I feel guilty because I am not well enough to exercise and as a result our dogs don’t always get as much exercise as the average dog. Yes they still get walks but it would be really good to increase this and give our pets a chance to get out and about more.
I feel guilty because we mix our dog food. We have a good brand which is brilliant for our dogs. When they eat that brand alone, their coats shine, Yoda and Casper lose the tear stains and they look more healthy. However we can’t afford the best and more expensive food so we mix the good food with a a cheaper brand and as a result our dogs get tear stains.
I feel guilty because Yoda is so fat. He will grab whatever food he can. I remember the very first time he did this. He was a puppy and Sylvia dropped her boiled egg on the floor, Yoda went for it and he won. He has never looked back. He simply loves his food and I feel guilty that sometimes I give him treats when it does not help his weight.
I feel guilty because Yoda and Casper don’t get groomed as regular as I’d like. Some Bichon Frise owners have the most adorable looking fluffy clean dogs. The reality is in our home our dogs are often scruffy and we let their hair grow extra long before each groom. The reality again is it’s a money issue. Bichon’s do need grooming regularly but I delay it as long as I can to save on costs and that means some weeks Casper and Yoda look like shaggy dogs.
So this is my Dog Owner Confession. We do love our dogs and we do our best to be good dog owners. Our dogs are very happy. They are insured and go to the vets when needed. They are much loved and know they have a special place in our home. They know they belong and they love me and my husband and daughter. Yoda and Casper love each other. It’s great to see them bonding and playing and caring for one another. They do have different parents but are real dog brothers.
As my blog improves and if I eventually earn a better income, I will be able to provide our dogs with more regular grooms, the better food and maybe one day hire a dog walker. Until then I will continue to do my best and give them the happy life they deserve, even if I am not the best dog owner in the world. What I do know is that I do love my dogs to bits and Yoda and Casper are a huge part of my life.
Angela x
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As a former dog owner, I completely understand where you’re coming from with the doggy guilt x
Aww, it’s obvious how much you love them and that’s the most important thing. There will be plenty of people giving their dogs the most expensive food and grooming every other day who don’t love their dogs half as much. They look adorable!
Aww it is hard when you feel guilty I think it is something everything thinks and feels though. There is always something you can do better.
Ahh I am guilty that our dog doesn’t stop out as much as he would like, he’d be out five times a day id I let him. I’m also guilty that he is at the bottom of the pecking order with the kids!
I think many pet owners especially those of cats and dogs are guilty of giving snacks that maybe they should’t. As long as it’s not often I don’t see the hard unless of course they need to be on a strict diet for health reasons.
I’m sorry to hear you’re going through a rough time. Best wishes to you and the pups.
Aw hun. As long as you do your best that is all that matters and your doggies are very well looked after so you have nothing to worry about hun x
Thanks Ana 🙂 You are a great support!
I’m sorry to hear that you’re not well enough to give them the exercise. But love and care is just as important, and it is obvious that you are giving both. 🙂
thanks
I’m sure all pet owners are guilty of some of these things, and you can only provide what you can afford, I’m sure they’re still happy dogs x
I totally agree.
I think it’s natural to feel a bit guilty sometimes. Not so much food, but I always feel guilty if I am out for too long or not able to walk my dog x
yes me too. I like them to get good walks!
Love is what they need most – kisses, cuddles & companionship.
Totally agree!
I don’t think you are alone in feeling guilty towards your pets. Your dogs are beautiful! I am sure they will forgive the lack of grooming and I am pretty sure they love the extra snacks!
I think most dog owners must feel the same. 🙂
I think that there are many pet owners who feel guilty about something concerning their pet. They might wish to let rabbits out of a hutch more often or clean a cats litter twice a day when they really can’t. Yoda and Casper look fine to me and a bit of extra food won’t hurt them.
Your dogs are beautiful and look very well looked after, I suppose it’s natural to feel guilty but they are clearly very loved 🙂
They are well loved!
As a pet owner im sure we all feel a tad guilty at times, your dogs are beautiful and they belong to a loving owner 🙂
I’m sure we all do!
Aw I definitely feel your pain because I’m a dog owner too! Hang in there!
thanks
You are definitely not alone in feeling like that. You can tell you really love your dogs and that’s very important, give yourself a break
I’m sure I am not!
Awwwww you’re not alone! I have a bichon frise too, she’s called Daisy May xxx
Bichon’s are the best!
Your dogs are such cuties. Great post, love your blog.
I actually like this ‘a bit scruffy’ bichon look, and your dogs look beautiful, super cute and well looked after. My Trix doesn’t like the groomers’ so I try to give him a frequent brush and only take him to the groomers when it becomes hard for me to manage the coat (or too hot for Trix).
I have no doubt your dogs are happy and you have nothing to feel guilty about. You are there for them: whether their coats are tidy or scruffy, whether they are healthy or sick, or overweight or whatnot. That’s exactly what a dog owner should be – a loyal and loving friend, just like they are to us.
Thanks. I think we are doing a great job!