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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My cat is like a son!!

Spoilt rotten and allowed free rein to get up to mischief!

When on the bed I look on him and try not to disturb, closing the door quietly behind LOL

When I'm cooking I have to think of the cat when preparing meals! (and previously shopping)

it would probably be easier to name all the things that doesn't make him part of the family! we have two pugs which are treated like our babies. My friends and family think we are crazy....they buy me everything pug related including a bag which says crazy pug lady! they both sleep on our bed, with the smaller one, which we rehomed, lying on top of my head/pillow. their snoring sends me to sleep! they get birthday and Christmas presents. I tell them I love them on a daily basis...alot more than what my husband gets! we use to pay 300quid each time we wanted to visit home (until we moved back) as I wouldn't leave them to get a flight so we had to drive and take the car on the boat with the dogs! I sing and talk to them constantly and they have loads of doggie outfits. we even made a calendar one year with them in every photo and gave it to all our family! I could go on....

We have a house full of pets with dogs, cats, fish and lizard and have raised our kids to look on them as part of the home and how to care for them.
When we go on holiday we have someone who moves in to watch the cats,fish and lizard and would never dream of going without the dogs, we'd be lost without them so this means no foreign holidays but we don't mind.

My dog, Teddy, is the biggest baby of our family! He gets to sit on the couch with us at night, he comes upstairs whilst I'm bathing my daughter or playing with her in her room! My daughter also loves playing with him, she's only 16months old and they're best friends! He also comes with me everywhere and probably gets away with far too much!

Our cats are very central to our family life

We don't have any pets at the moment, but I did used to have guinea pigs, and would love to have some again. They're lovely, placid creatures. Quite easy to care for, with funny personalities. Can't take them on holiday though, so have to get a friend or relative to look after them when away.

Our dog really is just another member of the family; he comes for day trips with us and on holiday too. We'd be lost without him!

She's older than the kids so she's definitely one of the family.

I swear our cat can understand every word I say, and my hubby tells me that when he hears me on the phone, he jumps off the sofa to be fed as he attributes my voice to feeding time.

I absolutely adore my two cats - Baby Dave and Bella. They are so chill, they own the house and everyone in it. They just allow us to live here too _

He's a new member, but we got this pup from a rescue centre, and he has helped my son with severe anxiety way more than I have been able to. Just this pups presence is enough to calm my lad, and make him settle easier.
I always loved having a pet around growing up, but until I got older I never realised how much a member of the family they can be. We couldn't be without our Lil Arthur, he's one of us. xx

We always have made a lot of our pets as they are an integral part of the family. Our little Griffon (monkey dog) always knew when a family member was unwell, unhappy, or tired & was immediately there to comfort, never leaving their side. Endured being dressed up in dolls clothes, and a constant play companion. Loyal, devoted and you can tell them anything and they will not repeat it. lol

Our cat Ellie is a big part of our family , she has her own spot on the sofa and sleeps on my eldest sons bed at night . Every birthday she gets her own special birthday cat treat surprise my three boys make her.

They actually believe themselves to be family members. If we're ever giving out chocolates/sweets/biscuits etc round the room we have to get them a doggie treat as they genuinely expect they are part of the round. My kids think of them as their brothers! I work from home but every morning the dogs watch everyone else leave and know they get their chew or dental stick when everyone's gone. Then in the afternoon/evening the eldest lies by the front door waiting for everyone to return and counting them in. He sees it as his responsibility to check everyone gets home alright and if anyone is late he won't leave the door unless we tell him they're not coming yet- eg on a school trip etc. What he'll be like when my daughter goes to uni in September I dread to think. If my husband is out late, the eldest dog takes over as man of the house. His role is very traditional!! It's funny to watch but also irritating as he thinks he can boss me about and I have to put him in his place, which is funny as my hubby is really passive and never bosses me about!!

We adopted our little rescue dog two years ago and she really is a child to me. She came to us really nervous having had a tough life before coming home to us so she required a lot of TLC and that only brought us closer. There's always a space for her to curl up on in our bed and a morsel of food leftover for her to enjoy - I couldn't love her more

Our dog basically does everything with us and everything we do is things where we can include the dog!

Our cats are not just part of the family, they are the head of the family. In the gas fire showroom, the first thing the salesperson was told was that we wanted one with a flat top so the cat could sit on it. It was a request they had apparently heard before! It was the same with a new sofa - flat topped backrest wide enough and the right height for the cat to stretch out on it next to the radiator.

I used to have a ginger cat called Ziggy and he was like a baby to me, I got him a year or so before I had my son, and shortly after his birth I left my boyfriend amid much upset... Ziggy was my rock when I had a newborn baby to cope with, perfect for cuddles when it all got a bit much. He used to stomp all over me in the night if I didn't hear the baby monitor going off when my son was crying and he watched over him like a hawk.

Ziggy sadly died in 2017 and I now have another cat called Jasper who is laying at my feet as I type this, he is a cutie and fantastic with my son. I have made sure that he is in a pet plan and has good insurance as I know now from my previous beauty that sometimes things come out of the blue when you least expect them!

Because my dog is always there when I need him. As long as you show him kindness, he'll be everyone's best friend. He passes no judgement, and he's great company. He's definitely a huge part of our family

Ours gets fed better than me, has a nicer bed than me and gets more hugs than me

our cat Tiny is defiantly one of the family. She's so spoiled she has a chicken dinner every sunday when we have our family Sunday roast!

Rosie has her bed near the main door in and out of the house, so we are constantly greeted by her and we always say goodbye to her on the way out as well. The girls also always go downstairs after their bath to say goodnight.

When we rescued a cat a few months before I was due to give birth to our first baby, I thought we might be a bit mad. It was a great decision. Our cat was previously stray but has taken to domestic life very well with the aid of regular roast chicken. He had a cat flat so he could leave if he wanted by why would he when there are nice warm beds. He eats with us, sleeps with us, follows us around, helps look after the baby by laying near her and watching her and looks very concerned if she cries. He'll wait until she goes go bed, then come and jump on my lap for extra cuddles.

Our cat is most definitely a member of our family (if not the boss of it). Every morning I'm woken by the sound of my husband having a conversation with her, every night she snuggles down between us to sleep. In between she rides around on our shoulders supervising our every action. How would we ever manage without her?

Our cat Socks came to our family from RSPCA and is full of character. She adores sleeping in my daughter's bedroom and taps her gently when she needs to go out in the morning. She loves playing with the family and sometimes tries to join in with family dinner time if chicken is on the menu.