Before I Was a Dog Mom, a poem

Before I Was a Dog Mom
(author unknown)

I made and ate hot meals unmolested.
I had unstained, unfired clothes.
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
even if the doorbell rang.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I slept as late as I wanted

And never worried about how late I got to bed

or if I could get into my bed.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I cleaned my house every day.

I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies

Or invited the neighbor's dog over to play.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I didn't worry if my plants, cleansers,
plastic bags,
toilet paper, soap or deodorant
were poisonous or dangerous.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I never had been peed on

Pooped on

Drooled on

Chewed on

Or pinched by puppy teeth.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had complete control of

My thoughts,
My body and mind.

I slept all night without sharing
the covers
or pillow.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I never looked into big, soulful eyes and cried.

I never flet my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew something so furry and four-legged

could affect my heart so deeply.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had never held a sleeping puppy
just because I
couldn't put it down.

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was well.

I didn't know how warm it feels inside
to feed
a hungry puppy.

I didn't know that something so small
could make 
me feel so important.

Before I was a Dog Mom:

I had never known the warmth,

the joy,
the love,
the heartache,

the wonderment
or the satisfaction
of being
A Dog Mom.