I prefer the company of my dog to my kids

I always knew that people love their dogs, but until we got a dog of our own I didn’t realise quite how much people love their dogs.

I thought that the term “fur-baby” was cute – but I had no idea that a dog could induce actual maternal feelings. I nodded along when people told me that their dog was part of the family – now I know that there is a deep meaning behind those words.

Our rescue dog, Ziggy, came to live with us last April and he has turned our lives upside down in the best possible way. But for me, a former “not-a-dog person”, it has been a complete revelation. Yes, I have bonded with the dog and everyone who knows me (or follows me on Instagram) can see it.

Ziggy is company when I am feeling lonely (I find working from home very isolating), a reason to get out the house for a bit, even when I don’t feel like it and comfort when I’m sad.

Having experienced the whole “man’s best friend” thing firsthand, I wasn’t totally surprised when I read that a third of dog lovers would pick their four-legged friend over their partner if they were forced to choose between the two.

The finding was one of the results from a recent OnePoll survey of 2000 dog owners commissioned by British dog-friendly pub chain Chef & Brewer. Researchers also discovered that one in eight dog lovers have experienced their own, “It’s me or the dog” moment.

Chef & Brewer’s brand manager Heather Moore told the Independent that while it was no secret that people loved their dogs, it was surprising to find out just how far that love extended. “Our research shows that for some couples, the four-legged friend can take the starring role in the relationship,” she said.

In my house, it’s my kids and not my partner who worry about being usurped by our dog. In fact, “Ziggy is your favourite child, isn’t he, Mum?” has become a well-worn joke.

Of course I don’t actually love the dog more than I love my kids. But there have been many, many times that I have preferred his company to theirs.

Ziggy doesn’t suffer from tweeny mood swings that blow up out of nowhere, rocking the house with the shouting of “It’s not fair”, “You’re ruining my life”, and the ol’ classic “I hate you”.

Ziggy doesn’t ask me complicated questions about life, the universe and coronavirus. He always eats his dinner without complaining (or critiquing) and he is always pleased to see me.

Sadly, Ziggy doesn’t clean up after himself and has chewed through several pairs of my shoes. But to be fair, my kids aren’t exactly tidy and while they haven’t ever eaten any of my belongings they have “borrowed” a lot of my things, which at the end of the day has the same long-term effect.

Recently my puppy has moved into his adolescent phase, testing my love with some bad behaviour. His attitude to following the commands that he once knew so well seems to have relaxed somewhat. He has pooped in my bedroom and run away from home.

My kids have delighted in his bad behaviour – “He’s not your favourite any more, is he Mum?” they chime.

“Look,” I tell them. “He may not be perfect, but at least when he is naughty I can put him in the backyard as a punishment.”

He may not actually be my favourite, but one thing is for sure – he is part of our family and we all love him very much.