No Need For Apologies

Here are my kids, Merlin and Gracie Belle, on the kitchen counter. They love to hang out on the cool quartz because it places them closer to eye level with us and especially because they can be a part of family activities like cooking and they even keep me company while I wash dishes.
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Sometimes I go to someone’s home and they apologize for having their animal kids jump on the counter, or the couch, etc. I understand there are some old fashioned ideas that animals belong only on the floor or in designated places, but I fully disagree with that concept. When we adopt animal companions and they become a part of our family and our lives, that means:

                             the homes we live in are their homes too 🏙✨

So that includes adapting our views of how the home can best suit them too, rather than having unrealistic or too rigid expectations of limiting where they choose to be. The only places I discourage are ones that could be dangerous.( like a stove top that could be hot.) But the counter top is perfect - we even have their drinking water fountain and cat grass on there and it makes me happy that they choose to be with us as much as possible and want to be there in the kitchen with us. And on the couch, the bed, desk etc. I’m pretty sure many of you share your homes like this already - so the next step is:

❤️                         no need for apologies! ✨❤️

You are not doing anything wrong by acknowledging that it is their home too. When we show others that this is how we live harmoniously with our interspecies family members, it helps to normalize it for them too. If a visitor is taken aback -or finds it strange-it’s ok. When they notice that you are not reacting or apologizing they will understand this is normal in your home. They will notice that your companions are treated like family members (which they are.) They are visitors so their only polite response is to accept that it’s your home and your animal companions’ home. ❤️