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

[EllieMumsnet]

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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?"

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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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We have a parrot, 3 mini dachshunds, a tortoise, an aquarium, budgies, lovebirds and two fancy mice. 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

I have a dog and cat that fight over the spot next to me on the sofa. That cat 'stares' me out until I make him more space & usually wins!

Had cats as a child, our lifestyle now means that we can’t keep a cat as a pet but we have a hamster,. My son worked hard in early days to “tame” it and get it used to gentle handling but I am really surprised at what a great little pet it’s turned out to be,

Our cat, badger is totally part of our family. We don't share her birthdays but we do know how old she is. The kids leave her special seat free, they love to find her first thing in the morning to say hello to her. They feed her treats and celebrate when she brings in a mouse. Life would be very lonely without her and I feel it helps to calm the kids down as well, its very theraputic stroking a cat.

We only holiday in places we can bring our 2 dogs, we celebrate their birthdays as we do the rest of the family and we try to include them in as much of our social lives as we can

Our Cat, Harvey, wants a place at the table and plenty of our bed at night, he is one of the family allright x

My two pet moggies, they are great company and make me laugh when they are running about. Pets are well known to help with depression and loneliness and mine certainly do help :)

My cat is like a really good friend, he's been there cuddled up to me over the years when no-one else was there

Our girls will come and seek us out if they think one of us is sick or upset. They want us to feel better. They also come and seek us out if they are feeling lonely; the want our company. We would do anything to ensure they are happy

Always had dogs (labradors) and they just are part of the family in exactly the same way our kids are!

Me and my partner don't have any pets since we moved in together, would love a dog but don't like the idea of it being left all day while we are at work. My parents still have our family pet Kimoken who is a parrot, we've had him for 20 years and he's gorgeous so loveable but takes alot of looking after I daren't think what we would do without him. We did have another parrot who we lost last year and she was 8 years old so that was really difficult.

My 2 dogs and cat are definitely part of the family. Anyone that says pets are just dumb animals really annoy me. My pets are loyal and very loving. I care for them more than the majority of my friends. They are always around to comfort you and ask for nothing in return. We celebrate there birthdays and try to include them in days out and celebrations.

I’ve always had a dog through out my childhood so when I moved into my own house I got my very first family dog which he is like my kids best friend and protector he follows them everywhere

Our dog is absolutely one of the family. Knows each of us as individuals with different behaviours for each, first to welcome you home and stays with you if you're upset.
Our rabbit however, is just an animal that we feed that happens to live in the house.

We have a very beautiful, black, Mini Rex rabbit. He was supposed to be an indoor rabbit, but he liked chewing through electrical cables too much. After the third XBox cable, my husband banished him to the front porch! SO now every time we go in, or out, our house we all chat to him.

My cats leave a mess everywhere, climb on the furniture and are always demanding to be fed, just like the kids really.

Our cat died last August just before he was 13. He pre-dated the children and although they were devastated when he died growing up with a cat as part of the family was wonderful for them.

Our dog, Jesse is so family-orientated that she gets depression she a suitcase is brought and and packed and is only truly happy when the whole family is together.

I don’t have any pets at the minute. My last two cats broke my heart by dying (7 years apart). They ruled the roost, they demanded to share my food at times, I nursed them when they were poorly and their needs came first.

Various pets of all shapes and sizes have been part of many people's families where over the years they had brought love and happiness.

As far as it goes, it seems that the only family I've only had are my pets.
They feel for me if I'm not well and stay by my side until they see me running around the house again.
Yes, the ARE my family !

As they are always happy to see me

Our dog is part of the family he goes with us wherever we go we take her on holiday with us even though most of the time the holiday company charges us extra

Poppy is one of the family. She is nearly 12 now and she is a wonderful companion. She is allowed anywhere in the house and we take her everywhere where possible with us.

Our cat of 23 years died recently and we still can't bring ourselves to get another one. She is everywhere we look in the house and we miss her terribly