Becoming a Special Kind of Mom
And So It Begins
Dear Readers, in honor of Mother’s Day I thought you’d like to hear from one of our neighbors who became a mom when she least expected it. Yes I’m talking about Edna Sanders. The day she and Harold adopted those two four-legged rascals her life changed forever. I’ll let her tell you.
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes,” says Edna. “If you’d told me I’d be getting teary eyed over a dog slobbering on my good apron or a cat slung over my shoulder, I would’ve laughed right out loud. But here we are, just before another Mother’s Day, and I can’t help reflecting on the sweetest surprise life ever handed me and my Harold: the day we became fur parents.”
New Family Members
“To say that adopting these two critters came as a complete surprise would be the understatement of the year. Or, any year for that matter! I won’t get into exactly how it happened because my author friend, Mary Jane McKittrick, talks all about that in her second book, “Boomer and Halley Lost and Found -Learning to Live in a Blended Family.” I’ll just say it was a life changing experience for all of us.”
“One evening, not long ago, I was sitting out on the back porch in my favorite big wooden chair that rocks a bit. I was admiring my garden of flowers that took such care to get to bloom. Boomer was lying on the ground gnawing on his favorite rawhide bone with his head on my feet. Halley was perched on the armrest. And that’s when it hit me. I never had children of my own. Life just didn’t work out that way for us. But in that moment, with the late sun painting everything in a warm glow and these two babies looking up at me like I hung the moon, my heart swelled so big I thought it might burst.”
I was a mama after all.
Not Always Easy
“Being a fur mom isn’t always glamorous. There are muddy paw prints on my clean floors, early-morning zoomies that sound like a herd of elephants, and the occasional “gift” of a half-dead lizard from Halley.
But there’s also the way Boomer leans against my leg when I’m feeling blue, like he can sense it. And the way Halley curls into the exact shape of my neck when I’m reading in bed, purring her little heart out.
There’s the laughter when Harold tries to teach Boomer to fetch. Sure as shootin’ he ends up chasing the ball himself while Boom sits there grinning like, “You do it, Dad. They healed something in me I didn’t even know was aching.”
Different Kind of Parent
“This Mother’s Day, I want every woman who’s loved a four-legged child to know this: your love counts. The late-night worry when they’re sick, the silly songs you make up for them, the way your heart lights up when they run to greet you—it’s all real mothering. The kindness, caring and love you show them is real. Fur babies don’t replace anything, but they sure do fill up spaces you never knew were empty.”
“To my Boomerang and my Halley’s Comet: thank you for choosing us. Not sure who was most lost at the time, but I’m sure glad we found one another. You made my Southern heart a mama’s heart.”
“And to every fur mom reading this—whether you’ve got horses, dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, or all the above—happy Mother’s Day. May your treats be plentiful, your lint rollers never run out, and your fur babies always know how deeply they are loved.
With sweet tea and even sweeter love, Edna Sanders, in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.”
Edna’s joy in becoming a mom is such a sweet and heartfelt story. Love it!
Thank you Tammy. I’m glad you liked it!
Thank you for a beautiful and touching story. I do have wonderful children and grandchildren, but my fur babies are definitely my “children” too. They are a special addition to our family and I love them very much 🥰
I’m so glad you liked it Janis. Thank you!
This story really hit home. I’m an empty nester these days and my dog is my everything. Thank you for writing in a way that touched my heart
Such a nice story and can relate to it with all my heart!
I think you can Jeanette. Thank you!
Oh man Shady Pines you hit a neve with this one. My fur babies have always held such a special place in my heart. Thank you for doing this
OMG Mary Jane! Edna brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful Mother’s Day story. Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day,
Oh Barbara. Thank you for sharing that reaction. I’m glad it touched you!
Mary Jane thank you so much for sending me this sweet Mothers Day story. Although I have children they are all grown and now my fur children mean the world to me. I’ll be sending this to my daughter that has no children but her pup of 14 years is loved unconditionally.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Suzie that is such a special message. Thank you. And Happy Mother’s Day!
OMG Mary Jane! Edna brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful Mother’s Day story. Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day,
I was really touched by this story
Anyone who’s loved an animal like a child can relate to this story. And I can
Very nice story
Thank you!
What a sweet story. And so true
Whether they’re two or four-legged they are important and this story really captured the feeling. Good job!
Don’t know where I’d be without all the wonderful four-legged children I’ve had in my life
Isn’t that the truth Jim?
Nice twist on the typical Mother’s Day story
Well done. Fur parents don’t get enough respect
So true
Love above Steve’s comment ….
different spin on Mother’s
Day I loved loved this latest tale
Edna is truly mother in all areas
I enjoyed how she gained that honor
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY EDNA
Thank you Jane and Happy Mother’s Day to you!
What a wonderful Mother’s Day post! I’m an empty nester, and our dog and cat definitely fulfill the motherly instinct. As you point out, they rescue you as much as you rescue them. Life would not be the same without them. Thanks for “getting it”.
I’m glad you connected with it Sheri!
Happy Mother’s Day! Wonderful story!
Thank you Amy. Glady you enjoyed it!
As usual, Shady Pines is the place of compassion. We need this so much right now
This really touched my heart. Anyone who loves their animals can relate
Tank you for letting me know!
What a great take on a mother’s heart – filled with love, kindness and caring whether with children or animals.
Thank you Jonne!
Dear MaryJane
I felt the exact same way towards my little dog as Edna does in your story! I lost her almost two years ago, but this story made me think of all the special feelings I had for my puggle. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you could relate to it Sharon. Thank you!
Sweet. The warmth of Edna’s love came through.
I’m glad. Appreciate you telling me that Elaine!
I really enjoyed this. Nicely done
I so enjoyed reading this! It resonates with me with China & Harley for sure! Thank you for enlightening all those f us !
Thank you Teresa. And Happy Mother’s Day to you and your two and four-legged children!
I loved the journey tat Edna describes. Been there
This is really heartwarming. Nice story
Love❤️ hearing from Edna. They do steal our hearts , these creatures.
They really do. Thank you Jamie!