Before I Was A Dog Mom   

by Carol Wat

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I made and ate hot meals unmolested.

I had unstained, unfurred clothes.

I had quiet conversations on the phone, even if the doorbell rang.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I slept as late as I wanted

And never worried about how late I got to bed

Or if I could get into my bed.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I cleaned my house every day.

I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies

Or invited the neighbor's dog over to play.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I didn't worry if my plants, cleansers, plastic

bags,toilet paper, soap or deodorant were

poisonous or dangerous.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had never been peed on

Pooped on

Drooled on

Chewed on

Or pinched by puppy teeth.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had complete control of

My thoughts,

My body and mind.

I slept all night without sharing the covers or pillow.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I never looked into big, soulful eyes and cried.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop a hurt.

I never knew something so furry and four-legged

could affect my heart so deeply.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had never held a sleeping puppy just because I couldn't put it down.

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to 

make sure all was well.

I didn't know how warm it feels inside to feed a hungry puppy.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had never known the warmth,

the joy,

the love,

the heartache,

the wonderment or the satisfaction of being A Dog Mom.