Happy Mother's Day to the world's best pet mom! - Dr. Marty Becker

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Happy Mother’s Day to the world’s best pet mom!

Friday, May 10th, 2019 | By Dr. Marty Becker

I still remember when my high school graduation speaker told the audience there were “10 Secrets of Success.” Secret number 10 was to both send your mother a card on Mother’s Day and tell her how much you love her, in person or on a call. Both. Always.

Well, dogs and cats most often don’t know who their real mother is, can’t drive to Hallmark to buy a card, don’t have pointy fingers to dial, and don’t have mobile phones. But they do know who their human mommas are and would love to give them extra attention and love on their special day. (And not even expect extra love or treats!)

For me, number 10 is set in stone and on Mother’s Day, I always remember multiple mothers. My beloved wife, Teresa. My late mother, Virginia. My mother-inlLaw, Valdie (still kicking at 94 years old). My daughter, Mikkel, mother of our granddaughter, Reagan. Cards are written and mailed (Mikkel) or ready to be handed out over Mother’s Day brunch (Teresa and Valdie). I’ll call Mikkel and talk with Teresa and Valdie, telling them how much we all love them. Emphasis on the all.

These amazing ladies are also caring, doting, loving mothers to the animals who share our lives. In the case of our three mothers: dogs, cats, horses, birds and fish, not to mention the wildlife we feed and care for. We give our dogs, cats, and horses sweet treats, sweet whispers of love, and massage (Teresa is a certified animal massage therapist). The birds get cuttle bones, fresh dandelion greens, toys, rotating branches, etc. The fish, well, not too much to talk about there beyond always having a really clean tank and sweet talk from Teresa that I’m not sure they can hear through the glass and filter noise.

But when I write my cards and sign them, I always include all of the pet’s names. And when I tell them we love, appreciate, and adore them on Mother’s Day, the message is not from “me” but from “we.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms (including pet moms) out there!