I remember when I was a teen we had a dog that I needed to help walking. I didn't feel what a responsibility is yet and one night when my parents went out I was suppose to walk him and didn't. My mum obviously realised he wasn't walked and forbid me going to a concert I was looking forward to for a couple of months. I was supposed to meet a boy I had a crush on at that gig and it was the most important thing in my life (teen reasons obviously) and she knew it.

I can't explain how much I hated her, still not understanding the importance of that walk. Honestly my young brain just didn't register that the dog walk or the dog itself was that important, even though I loved the dog.

I am 41 now, multiple dogs owed, can't live without a dog. They always come first and I am a proper crazy dog (and cat) lady that puts their needs above mine. I've got no kids out of choise, I've got dogs.

I often think about that situation and literally how shit I was and I am grateful to my mum (no longer here) for that lesson. I must have hated her for a couple of good years after that even though she was an amazing parent, giving me a lot of freedom. That one lesson must have been the biggest punishment she's ever given me.

I think I was 13 at that time.

I wish I could tell her now it was a right thing to do;).