What constitutes the American family has been changing for sometime now. It is becoming more common for individuals to defer marriage until later in life, for couples to forego having children, and for gay couples to adopt. Family is, and will always be, family no matter how it looks from the outside. So where does this leave our beloved pets..? or as I like to call them “fur-babies.”
For many couples who don’t want, can’t have, or don’t yet have children; their fur-babies are their children. I have several friends who do not have children and fall into this category. My sweetie and I can be added to this category too as we take the steps to have our own children. Whatever the case, our version of family is cherished albeit the fact it isn’t exactly traditional. I know there have been times where people have made fun of me, and other animal lovers, for the way we adored our fur-babies. What some nice and well meaning people may not have realized is that there are also people in the world who may have wanted children but things haven’t quite worked out as hoped. This can be the case for a variety of reasons.
I guess what I’m trying to say is everyone’s life takes a different path…sometimes by choice and sometimes not. It doesn’t mean that someone’s life is in anyway less meaningful merely because they regard their fur-babies as their children. Actually, I have friends who have children who regard their fur-babies as children too, and they make sure their fur-babies never take a backseat. So the next time someone makes fun of you, or someone else you know, for treating your fur-babies like children I challenge you to gently remind them that just because your version of family is not the same as their’s doesn’t mean that it is any less sacred…it’s just different.
It is a human need to love and nurture, and there are many different types of love. Whatever the case, it is love that gives our lives purpose, depth, and meaning. As a cat photographer and cat guardian I believe your feline companions are family members and they deserve to be celebrated with beautiful portraits that honor them now and when they have long passed. Below are a few photos of my fur-babies: Smokey Robinson and Baby Bear (a.k.a. The Snuggle Brothers). They are every bit family to me and to one another. I hope these images brighten your day a little.
Know someone who feels this way? What are your thoughts on this subject? Feel free to comment and/or drop me a line anytime at angela@boudoirkittycat.com.
