Why am I the cat's mother?

I can't quite see the problem in referring to oneself as a cat or dog's Mummy or Daddy as long as you do not get completely unreal about it.

It's how you treat the pet that is the issue not what you call yourself.

I refer to myself as my budgies mummy.

I agree. In some ways[imo] being a pet's mum or dad is preferable to being their 'owner'.I don't 'own' my dog...she's a much loved companion. I am, however, concerned about the popularity of these toy dogs that people are carrying about like accessories, because even toy dogs need to know that they are dogs. The problem can be when someone does actually have a dog as a baby substitute and then goes on to have a baby; I've known cases where the dog has had to be put down because of it's jealousy of the new baby; something that wouldn't have happened had it been treated as a dog.

Tegan, I think you've hit the nail on the head there. I don't feel I 'own' my dogs any more than I own any of the people I love. Our dog club refers to us either as "trixie's handler" or "trixie's mum/dad" and I can happily live with either.
It's my experience that people who share their lives with small dogs seem to make much less effort to encourage good behaviour. If I allowed my huge dog to lunge and bark whenever she saw another dog, I expect I'd soon be admonished. How come that's allowed in the toy breeds then? It's sad that all to often these breeds are dressed up in clothes and their doting humans pick them up if they see another dog coming, thus perpetuating the behaviour. Poor creatures, they're dogs not dolls.

Absent, I will.be thinking of you today.
Any of us who have taken the same path, will know how you are grieving
for your dear friend.
You have given her your last loving service, by releasing
her from pain.
Mourn her, and give thanks for her long and happy life.
Virtual hugs.
Leo.

Thinking of you absent. Leonora47 has voiced it beautifully.

absent. Thinking of you.

Absent,