Animal Children

             "Ooohhh there's my little baby!" Cooed the woman to her cat as she rubbed her nose in his face. I've had pets my entire life and I've never understood it- pets being the owner's babies or kids. I love animals, generally more than people, but by no stretch of my imagination (which is saying something) are my cats my children.
     
       
              Yes, I live with them, feed them, snuggle them and would give anything for them, but they feel more like really good friends to me. I was there from the very second they were born, comforting their mother through the birth, and I watched them grow from tiny puffballs to the majestic adults they are today and our bond is undoubtedly unbreakable. So, by all reason, I should feel like their mother, or at least their adoptive mother, right? But, the  simple fact is I don't. To me, I am their provider, protector and playmate.


              Now, that's not to say I don't feel ANY maternal instinct for them, but I feel that with a lot of people as well who I DEFINITELY don't consider my children. A couple years ago I lived with a few men, some the same age as me, some younger and some even older than me and I was very maternal with them. I slid into the role of "mom" very quickly and easily. Even while I'm busy at work, if I hear a little newborn baby cry (you know the ones that are still pink and stuff), I feel a tweak in my stomach and I feel like running over to comfort it. To be brutally honest, I REALLY don't like children. I don't feel like I can communicate with them, or that I'll break them or something ridiculous like that. And yet, I still want to comfort the little ones. It's just that instinct that every woman has to run to the rescue of a newborn.


              So, if I do in fact have a maternal instinct, why do I feel that my cats are not my children? I've thought that maybe it's a species thing, but then you read stories about dogs adopting tiger cubs, or gorillas adopting kittens. Clearly, nature doesn't mind inter-species parenthood.

             I've also thought that maybe, I'm not mature enough to feel like a mother all the time. It has been brought to light that even from very young ages, girls care for their stuffed toys like children, and that "true" maternal instincts take effect after puberty hits from age 10-14.....whelp, I'm going to be 23 soon, so clearly I'm old enough to instinctively be a mother (theoretically).


            Maybe my maternal instinct just isn't as strong with me as it is with most women. So far, this seems to be my most plausible conclusion, but it is by far, the hardest to admit. What if by me having a quieter maternal instinct, it means I won't be as good of a mother when the day comes? As much as I don't like children now, I do wish to have my own someday. I guess that's my little squeaky maternal instinct speaking up. 

          And, I don't mean to make this sound sexist, being all about maternal instincts and not mentioning anything about paternal instincts. Sorry men of the internet. It's not that I don't believe you have a parent-child relationship with your pet, I just can't relate to paternal instincts...you know, not being a man and all...and to be entirely honest, it does seem to be less heard of for a man to behave this way than a woman.

           I'm tired of being thought of as cold because I don't see my cats as my children AND that I don't like children in general. Neither of those qualities work to my favour, especially when talking to other women about it. I really hope I'm not alone on this one. What do you guys think? Are your pets your children? Do you have any theories as to why I feel the way I do? Any amount of feedback is appreciated! 


             Thanks for reading! :D

                   

             my email: cookie_monster_002@hotmail.com