Katherine Schwarzenegger has been a lifelong animal lover.
The 32-year-old soon-to-be mom of two first started her happily ever after with a fur baby. The New York Times bestselling author even penned a children's book based on the experience of rescuing her dog called Maverick and Me to teach kids just how special adopting a dog can be.
In celebration of National Pet Month, Katherine has partnered with Bounty Paper Towels to cover adoption fees at Best Friends Animal Society's Life Saving Centers. Katherine chatted with LittleThings about her journey with Maverick and what rescuing a pet can do for a family.
Katherine shared that while Maverick is her first rescue dog, she's had a life of loving and caring for animals that really helped shape her into the person she is today.
"I have always been super lucky to grow up around animals and that is something I do not ever take for granted," she shared.
"It taught me so much about responsibility at a young age and also about the value of unconditional love from an animal. Maverick was my first rescue dog, but when I was in high school, my brother and I rescued a pig and some ducks, so I guess that would technically be our first intro into the rescue world. But adopting Maverick really brought me into the animal rescue community, and I am so grateful for that."
From her experience growing up with animals as a child to today, where Maverick lives happily among her own little family, Katherine has learned a lot about the impact rescues can have on children and families.
"There is so much value from having kids grow up around animals," she shared.
"They are so incredible for kids to teach them about responsibility, unconditional love, caring for something other than yourself, and also teaches them that animals aren't just cute pets to have, but how they are also a huge commitment for an entire family. I think families benefit from rescuing animals by teaching kids about the interesting stories these animals come with."
"It was one of the coolest things to be able to share with kids who would stop me on the street and ask me about Maverick, and it's really what led me to write my children's book, Maverick and Me, to teach kids about animal rescue," she continued.
"I saw how kids loved to hear about my dog Maverick, and they found it so cool that he looked different from other dogs, and that his background was that he was found on the street under a freeway. Kids would run and tell their friends and parents the story of Maverick. I have also loved seeing kids hear Maverick's story and find out that there are a lot of animals that need homes. Seeing them wanting to help those animals means everything."
Katherine has been a longtime partner of Best Friends Animal Society, which is why she was excited to work on their latest initiative during National Pet Month and raise awareness of all the beautiful fur babies looking for their forever homes.
"For a long time now I have been be working with Best Friends Animal Society to help spread the message of the importance of animal adoption," she shared.
"This is why I was so excited to partner on this campaign with Bounty and to hear that they will be covering the animal adoption fees for all animals adopted through BFAS for the month of May. So many animals are going to be able to find their forever home, like Maverick was able to, which makes me so happy."
Spring is a time for family, and as Katherine gets ready to grow her own, she's enjoying all things motherhood. She cherishes the ability to learn and share with moms from all over the globe on her Instagram Live series, BDA Baby. Katherine shared some of the best insights she's learned since staring the series.
"Probably that we are all just learning as we go and are finding our way, also the importance of always remembering that you never know what other people are going through, so always try to be kind and gentle," she said.
"That's a big one. Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts in the world, and it is also one of the hardest jobs. Women are superheroes and can balance so much all the time."
These conversations about motherhood have also given her an even deeper appreciation for her mom, Maria Shriver.
"Since becoming a mom, I have gained a totally newfound respect and admiration for my mother, who balanced four kids, full-time jobs, her marriage, the state of California, her parents' health, friends, and so much more, and she did it with such grace and joy," Katherine shared.
"I was always in awe of her, and now as a mother, I am in even more awe of all that she was able to do and continues to be able to do on the daily."
Katherine is looking forward to continuing those important conversations, learning and listening to all the different experiences that moms from all walks of life have.
"I always look forward to continuing to have fascinating and wonderful conversations with people for my IG Live series, BDA Baby," she noted.
"I have recently launched a newsletter, so I really enjoy that part of it, too, and making sure we are able to get information and tips from as many people as possible, all surrounding the various phases of baby."
And just in case you thought she wasn't quite busy enough, Katherine also has been working on some more writing that she's excited to share with the world. She hinted that she's got two children's books "that will come out soon," and we all just can't wait to see what's next.
