Being a pet owner has a lot of responsibilities. Just like any other relationship requiring responsibility, you have to be understanding, kind, loving, and self-sacrificing. And with being a pet owner, you may come to the scary conclusion that you have become a parent in a way. The following is a list of words usually associated with parenting that all pet parents can relate to.

Setting guidelines: You have to be firm. You have to be consistent. Do not get on the couch. Do not get on the couch. Do not… Oh, OK, just this once. Only because you are so cute.

Who can resist puppy-dog eyes from your baby, especially when your baby is actually a puppy?

The Look: There are two definitions: The one they give you when they want human food, and the one you give them back.

You are making my food uncomfortable by the way you’re looking at it.

Separation anxiety: You cannot possibly miss anyone in the world more than your pet. And there is great security in knowing they feel the same way. Who doesn’t look forward to the 10 minutes of cuddling you get when you come home, regardless of whether you’ve been gone two hours or two weeks?

Playtime: One word: YAAAAAY!

Playtime? There is no time like the present!

Naps: Never, ever, ever on schedule.

Hint: the time your pet is most likely to be active is the time when you are most likely to be sleeping. People who say pets aren’t children have not been woken up by being scratched, jumped upon, or purred/barked at.

Attention: Your pet thinks it is their sole purpose to be the center of all your love and affection. If they do not feel this, disaster ensues. No attention? No problem! *Eats all your food.* *Breaks everything you hold dear.*

*This asterisk applies to cats only. While, yes, they consider themselves the center of your attention, they also consider attention different from affection. Cats are fickle creatures and will only accept love and affection on their own terms. If they bite and scratch, it’s probably nothing personal. Try again in an hour.

Bathroom: Pets only need to go to the bathroom at inopportune times for you. Were you about to fall asleep? Are you in the middle of an episode? Did you get a brand new carpet? I need to go NOW!

But once we finally get outside, I promise I won’t need to go anymore.

Bath time: The ultimate struggle*. How does one hold a collar and lather, rinse, and repeat? I only have two hands!

*Another asterisks for cats, who bathe themselves. In the event that they need a real bath… Good luck.

They may drive us crazy, but we love them all the same. We wouldn’t trade our furry best friends for the world (and honestly, we are a little afraid of how much we love them). And we know that despite the barking and begging and scratching, they feel the same way about us.