Yup: One of Those Dog Moms

I never thought I'd be one of those dog moms. You know the kind I'm talking about. The ones who treat their dogs like kids. Fancy, expensive food for the dog's "allergies", an abundance of toys, the special dog bowls and a dog blanket on the couch. Well, I admit it. I am. He's spoiled. Kona has a sensitive stomach and for the first year of his life we batch cooked very simple food for him. It was a definite labor of love. Sometimes it felt like we spent more time making the dog's food than we did preparing our own. Through trial and error, we finally found a kibble that works and doesn't require us to take out a loan to buy it.

Kona and his toys. Photo by S. Williams.

Kona goes with us everywhere. He loves road trips. Or just a drive to the local hardware store. He adores visiting the kids, grandkids, and hanging out with his grand-dog pals. But his biggest joy is going through a drive-through. It doesn't matter if it's the waste transfer station, the car wash, a bank, or the coffee stand. He's been conditioned to think he's getting a treat. It started small. A dog treat at the bank. Two at the coffee stand. Tail wags and doggy smiles ensued. But it's morphed into so much more. The Pup Cup. For those uninitiated, coffee stands have, for many years, offered special treats for our beloved pets. For a small fee (or often, none at all) they give them a small cup of whipped cream, usually topped by small doggie cookies.

The Pup Cup. Photo by S. Williams.

We don't frequent coffee stands often. But, when we do, and Kona is in the car, we get him a pup cup. I always wonder how the trend started. Do the coffee stands offer the pup cup because they're dog lovers? Or is it just good business to cater to all of the occupants in the car? Whatever the reason, I get him the treat because I love watching his absolute joy when he eats it. His excitement is infectious and he elicits smiles at every drive-through window - treat or not. I have learned to keep wipes in the car as he does like to share the sticky joy with me!

Are there things that you do for your pet that surprise you? Share your thoughts.