We Love Moms

It’s important to remember humans aren’t the only ones who take extraordinary steps to protect, nurture and raise their young. The animal kingdom is flush with moms that take the time to teach their babies how to find food and protect themselves. Here’s a look at a few outstanding animal mothers going the extra mile for their young:

Orangutans: The bond between an orangutan mother and her young is one of the strongest in nature. During the first two years of life, the young rely entirely on their mothers for both food and transportation. The moms stay with their young for six to seven years, teaching them where to find food, what and how to eat and the technique for building a sleeping nest. Polar Bears: Attentive polar bear mothers usually give birth to twin cubs that stick by her for about two years to learn the necessary survival skills in the cold climate.

African Elephant: When it comes to African elephants, a new mom is not alone in guiding her young. Elephants live in a matriarchal society, so other females in the social group help a calf to its feet after birth and show the baby how to nurse. The older elephants adjust the pace of the herd so the calf can keep stride. Emperor Penguins: After laying an egg, mom leaves it with a male who protects it while she travels up to 50 miles to reach the ocean and fish. She later returns to the hatching site to regurgitate the food to the newly hatched chicks.

Springtime is always busy at the Houston SPCA when a variety of newborn species come into their care such as baby squirrels, opossums, newborn kittens, puppies, etc. Plus, some babies are born onsite. Say hello to their newest addition: a little mule colt named Amos was born March 21 in their Equine and Farm Animal Rescue Center. Mom Etsy is a very good mom to baby Amos and likes to keep him close. Both are doing very well according to Houston SPCA staff veterinarians and equine team!

Every cat mom wants to share their kitty love with the world, so let them shout I LOVE FELINES with a colorful, trendy, cat-inspired phone case. Get the cat mom on your Mother’s Day shopping list this vintage case available at Casetify.com.

Ask any mom to name a few things she would like to have and many of them will say, “time” - there never seems to be enough hours in the day for a busy mom and cleaning the kitty litter box is a chore no one relishes. Give the cat mom on your Mother’s Day list this self-cleaning litter box that will save her time and energy! New from Smarty Pear, the Leo's Loo Too is a smart automatic litter box with automatic sifting after each visit from kitty. The design features triple-layer safety protection, odor-reducing UV light, and modern style. The connected app monitors usage frequency and allows for custom settings. It's even Alexa and Google Home compatible! Learn more or purchase one today at SmartyPear.com.

Only the best for my grandcat “Cairo”, he is enjoying his new litter “domain”. My daughter easily assembled the product and was already using the App on day one, monitoring Cairo’s visits to the loo. She is more than excited by the ease of use and time saving features! She noted, “I am really impressed by the quality and the design. My scooping/cleaning of the box is so much easier now. My only caution is that if someone has a cat that is fearful of new noises or things that move, introduce the product first as the litter box, not using the self-clean mode, and then gradually introduce them to the sounds.” Cairo is pictured here inspecting the new Loo - which he now loves!

This happy kitty is sure to put a smile on mom's face! The eco-friendly bamboo tray is purr-fect for serving and decor. Available at Amazon.com.

Mothers come in all kinds, for humans and animals...and that's the beauty! Guinea Pig Mama sweatshirt available at Etsy. com, Shop: JensPawsomeStudio.

Nothing says I know how much you love your dog than a gift of custom cocktail napkins for the dog mom who loves to entertain. A unique personal touch to the table, your favorite canine parent will be bowwowed by your thoughtfulness! Napkins are customized to the dog photo provided, with a choice of fonts and ink color. Get yours at Etsy.com, Shop: ModPawsUS.