Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2018

186 www.RetiringToSC.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.ReadMP.com senior living N ine years ago, I was 53 years old with adult children living on their own, pursuing their chosen careers and making positive contributions to society. After more than two decades as a military spouse, I was ready to give up my human resources career and sow my seasoned oats. So what was the first thing I did? I bought a puppy! For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted a pet. My childhood is void of memories with one because my parents weren’t “pet friendly.” And during those Army years, my hands were full: deployments, permanent change-of-duty-station moves, new jobs and new communities. Maintaining normalcy in that environment, with our two-legged children, was about all I could handle, so a family pet would have to wait – after my 50s; after the children moved out; after my husband retired from the military. When “after” finally arrived, not once did I question taking on the role of a middle-aged puppy mom. THE NEW DOG PARENTS As a member of this iconic generation – adults born between 1946 and 1964 – I proudly accept how we have redesigned the culture of pet parenting. Known as By Cathy C. Bennet t Between Baby Boomers AndTheir Pets A Loving Link