“I Won’t Abandon One Family Member To Bring In Another”

When I was pregnant with my first child we took some professional advice. From a vet. Yes, we were that couple, our fur-babies ruled the roost and we wanted to make sure that EVERYONE in the family was happy when a non-furry baby came along. I remember being quite shocked by the number of people who asked if we would be 'getting rid' of our dogs after we announced we were expecting. What?! I couldn't fathom what type of person would do this. To me, dogs are just another member of the family and you don't simply abandon them in favour of a new arrival. It seems that Sanjana Madappa, an expectant mama from Bangalore, had a similar experience. She took to her Facebook account to say that friends, family members and even doctors had advised herself and her partner to get rid of their five rescue dogs. But the animal welfare worker was having none of it. Instead, Sanjana organised what is possibly one of the sweetest maternity-canine photoshoots ever. The new mum, who gave birth to baby Ayan in December, said:

"Being in animal welfare, one of the most common reasons I hear for giving up a pet is 'I'm pregnant'. When I have tried to counsel these families, I get it thrown back in my face that since I don't have children and haven't experienced a pregnancy, I don't get to have an opinion. So, last year in April, my ever-supportive husband and I decided to see what the fuss was about. I had an unreasonably difficult pregnancy. For the first six months, I was glued to my toilet, even hospitalised because I was throwing up blood. The morning sickness really took a toll on me and I didn't think I would make it to the end of the pregnancy. I had a few weeks of respite before issues from a car accident four years ago started cropping up. My pregnancy became a high risk one for pre-term delivery and I was restricted to the confines of my home. I cannot even begin to describe all the thoughts that went through my head but what I can tell you is this; not once did I think 'hmmm my dogs have got to go.'"

[caption id="attachment_257042" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Photo: Sanjana Madappa / Facebook[/caption] [caption id="attachment_257043" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Photo: Sanjana Madappa / Facebook[/caption] [caption id="attachment_257044" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Photo: Sanjana Madappa / Facebook[/caption] [caption id="attachment_257045" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Photo: Sanjana Madappa / Facebook[/caption] [caption id="attachment_257046" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo: Sanjana Madappa / Facebook[/caption] [caption id="attachment_257047" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Photo: Sanjana Madappa / Facebook[/caption] Sanjana says that her dogs are the reason she got through her difficult pregnancy with her sanity intact,

"The days I spent crying, I had the comforting weight of Diego's head on my lap reassuring me things would be ok. The nights I spent on the bathroom floor, Leo kept me company, gently pawing me now and then to see if I was okay. I lost a very special little girl along the way, Leela, who kept me smiling with her silly antics till the end. When I could finally fall asleep, I had Cujo resting at my feet. I couldn't afford to stay in bed feeling sorry for myself when I had these kids depending on me. Eight months later, my son Ayan was born and I cant think of anything that could have prepared me as well for motherhood as my furry kids. I was told by family, friends and even my doctor to get rid of my dogs, that my baby came first. I was told the same things that all those people who have given up pets tell me. To all those people I can just say this; I couldn't ever in good conscience give away an animal that loves me and trusts me with the same innocence and purity that my baby does. I couldn't abandon a family member to bring in another. I will not betray a life that depends on me as much as my son does. To all those people I will always say, NOT WITHOUT MY DOGS."

Did you have fur-babies before you had real babies? What do you think of Sanjana's stance on the issue? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the Facebook comments or join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie