April: Pet Parent Confessions

Since bringing my dog home, I’ve learned patience in a way no human could have taught me.

- Anonymous
I avoid conversations about what I feed my dog because “kibble shaming” is a real thing. I believe in the benefits of raw food, but also in the science of high-quality dog food. I choose kibble with fresh food add-ons because I see how my dog benefits from this; he is happy AND healthy.

- Anonymous
Receiving this confession made me so happy. There is so much shaming around what we feed our dogs and I think there is just no space for that here. We are all doing our best! Keep doing what you’re doing and thank you for your brave confession. <3
When I brought my dog home, I thought I had to be the perfect owner, calm, patient, always knowing exactly what to do. Instead, we stumbled through together, messy and learning, forgiving each other’s flaws every single day. Somewhere along the way, he showed me that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real.

- Anonymous
My dog showed me that every day is a new day and I must take life by the horns

- Tyler Vogler
TRUTH!
I used to dread taking my dog to the park, knowing the stares and whispers would follow when he barked or didn’t play “the right way.” People saw a difficult dog; I saw a soul doing his best in a world that often felt too loud. Over time, I stopped apologizing for him and started standing a little taller beside him.

- Anonymous
The fact that this confession came the same week I shared Moby’s story was so special <3 Thank you, whoever you are.
Patience, unconditional love, respect

- Dawn Carter
No more needs to be said when it comes to our animals.
I’ve considered rehoming my dog when their behavioural issues were just too much to handle, but I’d never admit it out loud.

- Anonymous
I understand this! Don’t be hard on yourself. When I only had Mia I wouldn’t have understood this but Moby has taught me that it can feel like too much but only because their “behaviours” are seen as an inconvenience for how society has been constructed. They are not broken or less deserving. DM me if you need any help or someone to talk to.
I purchase my clothes according to what colour or fabric is going to collect the least amount of dog hair

- Anonymous
I may have planned holidays around where my dog would be most comfortable, and not where I would have the most fun.

- Anonymous
I see nothing wrong with this. I plan my holidays purely based on where I can bring my dogs and where they will have the most fun.
I’ve spent more money on my dog’s comfort than my own, and honestly, I’m okay with it.

- Anonymous
Same.
There are moments when I feel guilty for leaving my dog alone, even for just a few minutes, because I know how hard it is for them. The heart-wrenching sound of their crying is a weight I carry, but I remind myself that each day we’re making progress, and every effort is helping them feel more secure and loved. Our bond is stronger than the anxiety they feel.

- Anonymous
Sometimes I have moments when I regret that I rescued a dog with pre-existing traumas that I am trying so hard to undo. The guilt and hard work feels overwhelming. But then I remind myself how far they've come and that it's all part of our beautiful and imperfect journey together. Rehabilitation is hard but the joy outweighs the overwhelm.

- Anonymous
I cannot tell this person how much I relate to this with Moby. Thank you for sharing <3
My dog chased a child on a bicycle at the park which made the child scream at the top of his lungs which only made my dog chase him harder. I sprinted to get him under control while my brother was in hysterics watching this all go down.

- Anonymous
I told a guy at the dog park I was single dog mom just to avoid saying, “I share custody of my dog with my ex.”

- Anonymous
I took my dog to the Saturday market to feel like a put-together dog mom sipping a freezo and radiating calm energy. Instead, he lunged at a chicken burger stand, dragged me through a pile of artisan bread, and knocked over a chalkboard menu in front of horrified onlookers. I ended up buying 4 burgers out of guilt, dog covered in flour, and haven’t worn that “Good Boy” bandana since

- Anonymous
Upon receiving the keys to our new home the previous time we moved into what was then our new town, everyone was super excited and nervous. One of my silly sausages (we won’t name names), both of whom are very well potty-trained, crouched behind the realtor who was chatting with dog dad and started to poop! I was so shocked that I just reacted and grabbed the poop with my index finger and thumb (yay for a healthy poop) and walked outside without making a sound or alerting anyone! To my further delight, the water was still off, and dog dad had the politest, longest chat with the realtor while I stood there with my fingers in the air, waiting for him to finish and get the water running.

- Lelanie Venter (@twolonghairshorties)
I brought my dog to a pet-friendly café and he pooped on the welcome mat while making direct eye contact with the manager.

- Anonymous
We were having a sweet park date, everything going perfectly—until my dog jumped into his lap mid-conversation and immediately started licking his face like it was a peanut butter jar. He tried to play it cool, but then my dog sneezed directly into his mouth. I offered him a napkin... and never saw him again.

- Anonymous

Submit your Confession

March: Pet Parent Confessions

I took my dog with me to a very important meeting at a very fancy hotel. Halfway through the meeting she figured it was a good time to express her anal glands, right onto my lap. I pretended I couldn’t smell anything for as long as I could, and eventually blamed the fishy smell on the harbour. We were no where near the harbour.

- Carolyn Dudgeon (@paws.a.while)
I’ve fake-yawned just to see if my dog would yawn back, and when they do, I feel like we’re soulmates.

- Anonymous
One morning I had to pull a length of grass and poop out of Charlie’s bum because it got stuck. We both looked awkwardly at each other and knew that was the moment we both bonded beyond anything 🤣 we’ve been besties ever since!

- Lauren Aliriza (@beingbasti)
I’ve moved my sleeping position to accommodate my dog… while they sprawl out like they pay the bills.

- Anonymous
I used to drop my puppy at doggy day care once a week just to get a break from the chaos that is raising a puppy 🤭 I also used to give her rescue tablets to calm her down because she was so busy. She was exhausting! That same dog will be 9 this year, and I would give ANYTHING to have her be that young and vibrant forever 🥲

- Anonymous
I use my dog as an excuse to go home from a braai when I don't want to be there anymore . Hahahaha

- Anonymous
Sometimes I take my dog in the car with me if I am going to be going into a 'dodgy area', to do quick stock collection for work, this is to give people the perception that I have a trained security dog. Truthfully, he just has a mean bark, can't walk on a leash correctly and is scared of thunder.

- Anonymous
I judge people based on how my dog reacts to them. And my dog is always right.

- Anonymous
I leave the TV on for my dog when I leave the house so they won’t feel lonely.

- Anonymous
I use my dog as an alarm clock. Not because she actually wakes me up, but because I set her feeding time half an hour earlier than I need to be awake. That way, when she barks like the world is ending, I can get up, feed her, and then sneak back into bed for a guilt-free 30-minute nap. The truth? Sometimes I pretend to still be asleep, just to see how long her patience lasts. Spoiler: Not long.

- Anonymous
I've apologized to my dog for accidentally hurting them more than I've ever apologized to a human.

- Anonymous
My dog once had a tummy bug and the shits... Do you want to know how I found out? I woke up at 4am in the morning with a smell that burnt my nostrils... it stank so badly. I thought my dog had farted while sleeping next to me on my bed. But, no, she had shit all over my bed and I was centimetres away from rolling over into it! So, there I was at 4am having to take off my bedding, scrub my mattress AND bath my dog because she was covered in poo

- Anonymous
When my dog is off lead and ahead of me, and makes a poop, I will pretend that I'm looking away so I don't need to run over to pick it up

- Anonymous
My dog tries to eat people on walks, and I don't want to muzzle him because I enjoy him keeping strangers away from me

- Anonymous
My dog and my boss have the same name. The amount of times I have called my boss by my dog's nickname is not appropriate. 🤣 I should have been fired by now

- Anonymous
When my precious Tinky lost her sight she showed me what real courage and perseverance was

- Carol Palmer
When I first got Nachie, I asked the groomers to shave her because she loves rolling in all kinds of things. But then when she had surgery in 2023 and 2024, she couldn’t be groomed for a number of weeks. I then started noticing these cute curls on her back legs and bum. Now I let her live looking like a menace and hooligan because those curls are too cute to cut.

- Nacho & Queso (@nacho_and_queso_)
I talk to my dog like they're a person and get offended when they ignore me

- Anonymous
I screamed at Metrofibre because my wifi was down and all of their instructions weren’t fixing it. Eventually they came out to my home and I was so rude & such a d*ck 🤣 The dogs were in the bedroom at this time. He asked if I happened to have a puppy....... I said yes. He chuckled and showed me the fibre line that had been chewed through by said puppy. 🤦‍♀️ I now have a fibre line that goes up and across the roof to avoid future chewing 🤣 No solution for my bruised ego

- Lauren (@dog_lovesa)
When my Weimeraner was young, he used to steal washing off the washing line, but it was always a bra! Lost many good supporters that way. He was also 2 when he was doing this, that’s when I found out Weimeraners only calm down at around 5ish.

- Christi-Mari Petzer
Last week my boy walked in front of me and tripped me, because you know..he’s my shadow. To counter falling on him I swung in the opposite direction, falling face first into the wall and slid down in slow motion. 😂 Looked like I had been in a bar fight for a few days but that’s okay, I wouldn’t have him any other way. 🤍

- Anonymous
Sometimes I pretend to pick up my dog's poo in the park so other dog owners don't judge me 🤣

- Anonymous
My dogs keep me motivated to keep training and pushing myself

- Anonymous
My new dog helped me heal in ways I never thought were possible after loosing my 7 year old cocker spaniel to Lymphoma last year. With each wag of his tail and each moment we share, I am reminded that God is good, and sometimes, our hearts just need time and grace to open again.

- Lia Kriel
My dogs show me the meaning of unconditional love. My dog's absolute trust in me makes me more aware of my actions

- Carol Palmer
I have chased my dog around a park to pull a piece of grass from his bum after he pooped.

- Anonymous
My beautiful boy Dexter has been my rock through the most challenging transitions of my life. With every moment, he remained my constant, offering an unwavering love that knew no bounds. He gently reminded me to stay grounded, and no matter where I was emotionally, he loved me with all his heart - unconditionally.

- Kim Stedler (ecokimmo)
I miss my Goldens so much :-( wish I could pit them in a Pudo locker and ship them down to me

- Lauren Aliriza (@beingbasti)
Many years ago, our boxer dog ate one of my g-strings and I had to pull it out of her ass

- Anonymous

Submit your Confession

Since bringing my dog home, I’ve learned patience in a way no human could have taught me.

I avoid conversations about what I feed my dog because “kibble shaming” is a real thing. I believe in the benefits of raw food, but also in the science of high-quality dog food. I choose kibble with fresh food add-ons because I see how my dog benefits from this; he is happy AND healthy.

My dog showed me that every day is a new day and I must take life by the horns

Patience, unconditional love, respect

I’ve considered rehoming my dog when their behavioural issues were just too much to handle, but I’d never admit it out loud.

I purchase my clothes according to what colour or fabric is going to collect the least amount of dog hair

I may have planned holidays around where my dog would be most comfortable, and not where I would have the most fun.

I’ve spent more money on my dog’s comfort than my own, and honestly, I’m okay with it.

My dog chased a child on a bicycle at the park which made the child scream at the top of his lungs which only made my dog chase him harder. I sprinted to get him under control while my brother was in hysterics watching this all go down.

I told a guy at the dog park I was single dog mom just to avoid saying, “I share custody of my dog with my ex.”

I brought my dog to a pet-friendly café and he pooped on the welcome mat while making direct eye contact with the manager.

I’ve fake-yawned just to see if my dog would yawn back, and when they do, I feel like we’re soulmates.

One morning I had to pull a length of grass and poop out of Charlie’s bum because it got stuck. We both looked awkwardly at each other and knew that was the moment we both bonded beyond anything 🤣 we’ve been besties ever since!

I’ve moved my sleeping position to accommodate my dog… while they sprawl out like they pay the bills.

I use my dog as an excuse to go home from a braai when I don't want to be there anymore . Hahahaha

Sometimes I take my dog in the car with me if I am going to be going into a 'dodgy area', to do quick stock collection for work, this is to give people the perception that I have a trained security dog. Truthfully, he just has a mean bark, can't walk on a leash correctly and is scared of thunder.

I judge people based on how my dog reacts to them. And my dog is always right.

I leave the TV on for my dog when I leave the house so they won’t feel lonely.

I've apologized to my dog for accidentally hurting them more than I've ever apologized to a human.

When my dog is off lead and ahead of me, and makes a poop, I will pretend that I'm looking away so I don't need to run over to pick it up

My dog tries to eat people on walks, and I don't want to muzzle him because I enjoy him keeping strangers away from me

My dog and my boss have the same name. The amount of times I have called my boss by my dog's nickname is not appropriate. 🤣 I should have been fired by now

When my precious Tinky lost her sight she showed me what real courage and perseverance was

I talk to my dog like they're a person and get offended when they ignore me

When my Weimeraner was young, he used to steal washing off the washing line, but it was always a bra! Lost many good supporters that way. He was also 2 when he was doing this, that’s when I found out Weimeraners only calm down at around 5ish.

Sometimes I pretend to pick up my dog's poo in the park so other dog owners don't judge me 🤣

My dogs keep me motivated to keep training and pushing myself

My new dog helped me heal in ways I never thought were possible after loosing my 7 year old cocker spaniel to Lymphoma last year. With each wag of his tail and each moment we share, I am reminded that God is good, and sometimes, our hearts just need time and grace to open again.

My dogs show me the meaning of unconditional love. My dog's absolute trust in me makes me more aware of my actions

I have chased my dog around a park to pull a piece of grass from his bum after he pooped.

I miss my Goldens so much :-( wish I could pit them in a Pudo locker and ship them down to me

Many years ago, our boxer dog ate one of my g-strings and I had to pull it out of her ass

Dog Love South Africa