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?"

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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We often said that our dog was our first baby, introducing us to a new life of sleepless nights and unconditional love. When DD arrived 5 years later we were much better prepared!

We have always had cats, sometimes as many as 6 of them at a time. As I am mostly housebound through ill-health I find they are great companions. They love to be in the same room as me and will always sunggle with me on the sofa if I'm watching TV. They are non-judgemental which is why you can tell them anything, and they have great empathy, they definitely know when you are not feeling well or are unhappy.

I always had pets growing up - cats, ducks, chickens, hamster and fish. My son would love a dog but we are so busy during the day so I don't think it's fair to have one. My son loved my parent's dog and he used to buy her a present on her birthday (bonfire night!). Unfortunately she died several months ago and he was very upset :(

We have a rescue guinea pig who can’t live with other piggies as she’s a bit too rough with them... We love her to bits and so she doesn’t get lonely we bring her into the living room every evening so she can sit on the sofa, snooze and watch telly with the rest of the family.

My first houserabbit in particular was part of the family ( pre DC). He chewed everything and loved his rescue bunny girlfriend when she arrived. They used to live in our lounge and were often found chilling under the coffee table.

This is my lovely 'son' and baby 3 and a half year old blue whippet, Sid. I have had Sid from 12 weeks, and when I first got him, I also had an oriental blue cat who had been my life, so when I got Sid, I felt scared of loving him in case my cat felt bad. My ex was very shouty and unpleasant to be around, and one time he shouted, Sid ran to me as a pup and hid behind me shaking. From that moment on, Sid became my best friend and lifelong companion. He's been with me through thick and thin, I've had 3 house moves, he's travelled by train, car, boat, bus, aeroplane and even has a trailer on the back of my mountain bike he travels with me in. I take him to work, he sleeps in bed with me, he comes and sits with me when I'm in the bath, he is ALWAYS besides me - he comes to the pubs with me where he is the star of the show - everyone knows Sidney and the pubs that serve food always do a special meal for him when we're in, and I could NOT imagine life without him. He means the absolute world to me, at times when I feel lonely and that I'm not sure how much more I can take, I look into his big brown eyes, he comes to give me a 'nug, and all is well.

He was there for me always, and I was there for him from a pup. He was beautiful and precious. One day he got sick and within the week he was gone. I will never forget him, he was my beautiful baby boy.

Our Buddy is a crazy jack Russell terrier puppy! He comes everywhere with us and is treated like a son! He loves attention and craves cuddles and fuss. He sleeps in his cage at night but hops on the bed for an hour when he wakes up.
He loves being fussed and snuggling up on the couch.
He came on holiday even with a damaged foot that needed regular vet attention! He is certainly one of the family!

My dog is my fourth child. He comes everywhere apart from work with me.

My two cats are a huge source of comfort! They were with me when I was living alone & it was wonderful to have them to greet me when I came home

Daisy is my first baby, she's my gorgeous fluffy Lhasa and protected my bump whilst pregnant and is now best friends with our 1year old DD.
They chase each other around and share food.
She still loves mummy snuggles though and I frequently wake up to find her snuggled up against me in bed.
We wouldn't be without her. Even when she barks at the tv coz there's an animal on it.
She believes she's protecting the house and I love her for it.

My dog is the heart of the home. Unconditional love bounding off his comfy armchair when I come home and warning barks when someone is at the door. He feels like a burglar alarm and bodyguard if I am alone at night. He is a comfort when tired or unwell as just stroking him is soothing. He also makes us get out of the house to walk and talk to people. When my last gorgeous dog died, I only lasted two weeks before visiting the rescue centre as walks felt dull and the house seemed empty of soul.

My first dog as an adult was the absolute love of my life. We got her to keep my husband - who works from home - company, but she'd spend all day waiting at the window for me to come home. Our new dog is just as loveable but is more a family pet than my girl was.

Our dog was DP's first, and kept him warm and alive when he was without a roof, or hope. She's his reason for living and I will be forever grateful for that. We call her DD 😍

I adore all my cats, past present and most definitely future! This quote from Jean Cocteau sums my feelings up well - "I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul." From childhood, I've always had cats around, and wherever I've lived a cat has always come into my life and home, and made a lasting impression. A world without a cat is grey, but with a cat it is bright and colourful.

I have had long term difficulties with conceiving. When my 2 elderly cats passed away in 2016/7 I said 'no more'. But then I saw my gorgeous cat on the local rescue centre website in Dec 2017. I read her story. She had been pregnant when handed to the rescue centre but was very thin, unwell and had a large infected wound on the side of her head. Her 4 kittens were all born with cat flu and sadly all died. My heart went out to her - the poor mum who lost her babies. I emailed immediately and she'd moved in by the end of the week (after house check etc). She's had her ups and downs and at least 1 emergency vet trip in the middle of the night but she's currently really well and we've just celebrated her 1 year anniversary. She's super friendly and very empathetic and cuddly whenever I'm feeling down I feel she understands! Definitely one of the family.

We have a beautiful rescue dog, she has never known a home before and is the most loving dog you could ever imagine. She pays us back in love with interest!

My dog saw me through the death of my husband and it was such a comfort and help not to come in to an empty house.

Has your pet been there through milestones in your life?
If so which ones?
Yes, birth of dc and also divorce

Do you celebrate your pet’s birthday every year?
Yes, with a little pet treat

Perhaps he/she has their own special spot on the sofa or even on your bed?
Yes both, a sheepskin cover on the sofa and a place on our bed

What about when it comes to holidays?
Holidays are spent in the best cattery

Or maybe you are thorough in ensuring they have regular vet and/or grooming appointments?
I do the grooming, hair, teeth and claws, flea and worm treatments The vet does the rest and all my pets are insured.

Our dog has welcomed 2 children into the world. He has a passport and has travelled around France with us and we include him in as much as we can. He patrols the house at night and checks everyone is present and correct and my children adore him. He is very patient and like a real life teddy bear

I've had cats ever since I moved into my first home as an adult I couldn't be without a cat now. My two rescues are spoiled rotten and I've always got time to stop and give them a cuddle if they ask for affection they know I'm a sucker for their meowing.
My DD loves them and has a special bond with one of them, he is like her shadow following her about.

I've always grown up having cats, and my two that I got when we got our first home we're my babies pre-children. They're so good with the kids now and dd and ds adore them. I can't imagine being in a home without pets. It's lovely knowing our two are always around

Love my rescue cat x

My dog (Suki) was more human than animal she knew everything I said to her, She just knew when I was sad and she would come an sit by my side, We always took her away on holiday with us she loved the beach, I had to have her put to sleep as she had tumor's it was the most devastating time in my life, Having to tell my children that she was poorly, comforting them as well as my dog (Suki) and giving permission to put her to sleep being with her whilst they put her to sleep was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The loss I felt when she was gone , the emptiness, She was part of my family. We have got 12 years of good memories, plenty of photo's , I said at the time I would never get another dog but time heals and now I have got a lovely dog called Bonnie totally different temperament from Suki but loved just as much now she is one of my family.

I can see how animals become part of the family. Especially something that is always about and needs a walk/food etc. I no longer have pets like that, I have feral rescue cats. They certainly don't see much of the house right now - they prefer to be out if I'm in. So maybe actually they are like part of the family. Teenagers