Mom Puts Dog Before Son: Kelly Rose Says, ‘I Love My Dog More Than My Son’

A mom puts her dog before her son when it comes to love and affection. Kelly Rose is quite candid about her feelings for her terrier, Matilda. This mother of an 11-year-old boy shares why she feels the way she does and insists many are just like her, but won’t admit it.

Daily Mail features Rose’s admission that’s sure to get people talking. Can a mother love her pet more — or the same — as her child? At times, Rose says so.

“Matilda is not my daughter. She is my four-year-old West Highland White terrier, and I freely admit that I love her as much as I love my 11-year-old son, William. In fact, on some occasions I love her more than him. And I don’t feel a bit guilty about admitting that.”

As harsh as this sounds, Rose isn’t saying that she loves her dog all the time more than her son. Now that he’s getting older, she’s feeling less needed as a mom compared to how it was when he was younger. She does rate her passion for Matilda as being the same for William.

“… For, much as I love my son — and I do, more than any words could express — I also love Matilda with the same drive and passion. And on occasions, those feelings of love for her do run deeper than those I have for William.”

There’s one sentiment that a lot of mothers might relate to as their sons and daughters grow more independent — missing the company of their children with more activities filling their schedule. Matilda is always present for this mother longing for genuine appreciation.

“She doesn’t disappear to school every day, or for playdates or football competitions. She is there at my side, wherever I am,” Rose says.

Kelly Rose explains that she isn’t as appreciated for taking care of her son like she is her dog. Matilda lets her human mother how much her affection and devotion as a pet owner means to her.

“I guess a lot of it comes down to a human need to feel wanted and loved, and Matilda gives that in abundance. Children, as they grow older, do not give such physical shows of love to their parents.”

“And as they grow up, you fade fast from their thoughts.”

Kelly Rose does admit her son can be resentful over Matilda when she’d rather take her for a walk over giving him a ride to a friend’s house. A twinge of jealousy overcomes him whenever he wants her to look at something on the computer, but she won’t get up because the dog is asleep on her lap.

“In my mind, though, and despite what anyone else might think, based on my love for her and the fulfillment of her needs over anyone else’s, Matilda will always be first.”

In 2010, Kelly Rose wrote about the time she realized there was no going back to mothering small children. She wrote a column on Parent Dish and it’s a bittersweet view on watching your own children grow up.

How do you feel about this mom openly admitting that she loves her dog more than her son?

[Photo Credit: Martin Spaven via Daily Mail]