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Mumsnet users share how their pet is part of the family with Animal Friends Insurance

327 replies

EllieMumsnet · 14/01/2019 15:01

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Whether you have a dog, a cat, a parrot, a guinea pig or even a tortoise, it’s safe to say that they are more than just pets. From being your side through new chapters in your life to growing up with your children and even acting as surrogate children to some, pets are a integral member of many families. That’s why Animal Friends Insurance would like to know how your pet is a member of your family.

Here’s what Animal Friends Insurance has to say: "With almost no effort at all, pets manage to bring so much joy into our lives. They make us laugh, comfort us when we’re sick or upset, and are always there for us no matter what. It’s no wonder that an estimated 12 million British households choose to keep a pet. We’ve compiled some free, downloadable guides here about pets and their development which you may find useful. As new members of our families they make fantastic companions. How has your pet benefitted your life?"

Watch this video here:

Has your pet been there through milestones in your life? If so which ones? Do you celebrate your pet’s birthday every year? Perhaps he/she has their own special spot on the sofa or even on your bed? What about when it comes to holidays? Do you ensure your destination is pet friendly too so they can come along? Or maybe you are thorough in ensuring they have regular vet and/or grooming appointments?

No matter how your pet is part of the family, post it on the thread below and everyone who posts will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw.
MNHQ

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Mumsnet users share how their pet is part of the family with Animal Friends Insurance
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22
cp0649 · 24/01/2019 21:07

Our cats and dogs are like a mini family of their own, they all have their own spots in the lounge and they eat dinner together like a family!

DitaFajitaJones · 24/01/2019 21:33

Snickers the dog goes where we go. He is his own character, boisterous and energetic. He spends his days on the sofa or taking us all for a very fast paced walk :)

ayupducky · 25/01/2019 05:50

When my marriage broke up, several years ago now, my Labrador stayed by my side throughout. At one point we both nearly slept in the car because I was struggling to find anyone who could take him in with me. My Ex made it clear that he would take him to be re-homed if I left him there. Thankfully a Good Samaritan came to our rescue until I could get us both to a family member.

I managed to rent a house that accepted pets and he was there with me, being my best friend, through all of the bad times and, eventually, the good again.

He's 12 now and has a 6 year old kitty brother who bosses him about terribly. He's going white around his muzzle and has arthritis, but he's still loving life (especially food Smile) and our walks together are my peaceful time in my days.

I'm dreading the time when he has to leave me, I'm praying we'll still have years together though. I love both my fur babies with all my heart... even at 4.30am every day when they wake me up for breakfast! Grin

sootyo · 25/01/2019 08:15

Our dog gives us so much pleasure and love , we return this by loving her back and ensuring she attends her grooming appointment every six weeks.

bakingqueen · 25/01/2019 12:21

Our chickens are our pets the children love them. It’s tsught them the responsibility of caring from them. Also given them A better understanding of where eggs come from which they love showing off to their friends about

Sugarhouse · 25/01/2019 14:15

Our cat is such a character and very patient with our little one. He is a lovely cat who always wants to be around us

Balloondog · 25/01/2019 20:27

Our beloved cat was with us for eight years until very recently, she was a rescue who was completely deaf. She had so much attitude and would rather have given up wet food than cuddle with you. However, 4 years ago, she suddenly started sitting on my DH's lap all the time. She would sniff around his crotch for a good while before finally settling down and you couldn't get her to budge. After panicking that he had some personal hygiene issues he eventually googled and as a result went to the Dr... and was promptly diagnosed with testicular cancer! He often says she saved his life!

We've had a huge cat shaped hole in our lives but just this week found out that a kitten we rescued off the street and fostered 4 years ago whilst living overseas can no longer stay with his adopted family due to newly discovered severe allergies and he's arriving to live with us next week!

At the same time we've been interviewing to puppy walks for guide dogs and are expecting to get our first puppy within weeks!! Similar to previous posters we've never been able to have children either biologically or through adoption so our pets mean the world to us and after 6 months of what has been a very empty home we're delighted to be about to become 'whole' again 😁

SarahET · 25/01/2019 21:42

When I was pregnant with my daughter my cat would lie on my stomach purring which made the baby kick, which made the cat purr more and so on. It was very cute. He wasn't so keen on her once she was born though Grin

user1485629191 · 25/01/2019 21:57

Our pets are so much part of our lives we would be lost without them!

lolamia91 · 25/01/2019 22:59

He's just there all the time

cheryl100 · 26/01/2019 14:24

My cat is only 2 years old but she is firmly a member of the family. She is strictly an indoor cat because we lost 2 cats to RTA's in the pat and we don't want to do through that again.

Emmsd5588 · 26/01/2019 20:19

Our dog is like another child. He comes everywhere with us, sleeps and eats with us

Shireslass · 26/01/2019 20:26

Our pup was our first baby (unpopular with some I know) we celebrate all his milestones and he is a total part of our family.
He loves our daughter and they are much like brother and sister in that they fall out and then make friends.
He has always been there, when I am sad, when I am happy. He is a perfect hot water bottle and cuddles. He is also great at making me great fresh air when I don't always fee like it.

justamoment · 27/01/2019 08:00

We are fairly new to having a pet, but following pleas from our kids’, we’re now the lucky caretakers of a gorgeous soppy big dog who immediately became part of the family - not least because we quickly discovered that he became part of the fabric of daily life as much as the children! He needs care, attention and affection just like the rest of us and of course consideration when going about daily, weekly, monthly family life - from when and how to walk & feed him to how & where to travel about. And perhaps an unexpected bonus is that he has also been welcomed into the wider extended family too, so all generations from grandparents, our siblings, through the teens right down to our youngest nieces and nephews, all look forward to seeing him to enjoy playing, stroking and generally interacting with him. He really is a part of the family in every sense.

Exploring · 27/01/2019 10:23

By keeping me company when I'm home alone, so I'm not talking to myself. To teach caring and responsibilities.

mummyhaschangedhername · 27/01/2019 12:39

Pets bring joy into my life and that of my family. I think the experience of taking care of something and seeing them in turn entertain you, or comfort you, or just be there makes such an impact. For children watching them learn about taking care or and being responsible (in part) for something other than themselves is a great learning experience.

We have a little bit of a zoo. Animals all bring so much in different ways, form the cat that decided to move in one day *after extensive searches for a possible owner of course), who follows us to school or around to houses in the estate and meets us when we return, to the the snake that watches television with us. We have a bearded dragon who scathes at his Vivarium to come out for cuddles and closes his eyes when stroked (who knew reptiles shows enjoyment from being touched), we have another cat who talks excessively to my husband (not so much to me) and will huff at us if we don't give him enough room on the bed.

Each day, there personalities win me over and bring joy in ways I didn't know they could. I enjoy sharing my life with animals, I couldn't imagine my life without pets.

mummyhaschangedhername · 27/01/2019 12:39

Their

HawkeyeInConfusion · 27/01/2019 13:25

The cats are definitely part of the family. If they weren't I wouldn't tolerate the rodents and birds (both dead and alive) they bring in. Or the fact that one of them has pissed on various carpets/tools/paperwork/etc Grin

The DC love them and it's good for them to learn to look after animals and understand their needs. It is also relaxing for me when I get a purring ball of fur snuggled up on my lap on a cold winter evening.

justforareply · 27/01/2019 13:41

She's always the one the children ask about first if they are away. She is the best thing to get home to everyday. She is happiest when all her pack are together 😄

emmamcmahon · 27/01/2019 14:16

Our Springer Spaniel is a 3rd child to us. He’s as much part of the family as anyone and ee couldn’t be without him.

tamalyn1 · 27/01/2019 15:40

our cats have full run of the house, they sleep with us, they get xmas and birthday gifts ha ha and lots of cuddles

tillymint21 · 27/01/2019 20:59

Our little black cat Tilly arrived as a 6 month old stray and became an established part of the family from the word go. She was very beautiful, aloof, vulnerable, fickle in her affections and we loved her for it all. Sadly she became ill and died very suddenly last summer - we all miss her but have some lovely memories and whenever she’s mentioned we can’t help but smile!

mrsglowglow · 27/01/2019 22:03

Our cat is the fifth member of our family. He's a sweetheart and loves our company. He greets us when we get home and every night waits until the last person is going up to bed before trotting up the stairs to be with us. He is the only person who can cheer up my teenage daughter when shes feeling down.

KittenCamile · 27/01/2019 22:17

We have 3 companion cats that are a part of our family. They are little furry lights in our lives and I love them totally.

Having a 7 month old has made me see them in a new and exciting way as well, they are joy and wonder to him. I could never be without a furry companion, they change the energy of a home, an added heart beat.

Daxigal · 27/01/2019 23:30

We have lots of pets, a parrot named Henry, 3 mini dachshunds, a tortoise named Thomas, an aquarium, budgies, lovebirds and two fancy mice (Timmy and Scooby). All are integral to our lives. There is so much callousness and disloyalty in this world, yet our beautiful pets comfort us with their gentleness, unconditional love, fidelity and innocence. They bring beauty to an ugly world and we delight in making sure they have the best most fulfilling lives possible. We book holidays with our dogs in mind to ensure they have a wonderful time. When we celebrate - our pets celebrate with us. When we cry they comfort us and when they are unwell or in need we are unconditionally there for them too. That's love!