Paws, Kids & Plantain.

😜A Hilarious, Down-To-Earth, 16-Part Series By Nene Ajayi

Hi there! 

I’m Nene Ajayi, a full-time wife, full-time mother of 3 – yes, it’s possible to be both full-time,  and a part-time chaos coordinator of fur, food bowls, and occasional furball drama. I live in a cozy 3-bedroom bungalow in an estate in Ijesha, Lagos, with my husband, our three kids; a boisterous 8-year-old boy named Tolu and twin girls, Dara and Demi, age 6, two dogs , and a cat with an identity crisis named Stu.

Now, before you start thinking I’m some animal behaviorist or dog whisperer from YouTube, please chillax. I’ve made more feeding blunders than I care to count. 

One time, I fed my cat plantain porridge and was genuinely surprised when he looked at me like I had betrayed him. 

Another time, my German Shepherd, Blaze, ate half a birthday cake meant for Tolu and had a sugar rush that nearly ended in an estate-wide patrol mission. It’s real here o!

🏠Our Home, Our Zoo

Our bungalow may be small, but it’s bursting with life. There’s a fenced yard where Blaze, our German Shepherd, does his daily patrol like he’s auditioning for K9 duties. Raya, the Basenji, believes she’s a queen and acts accordingly, only eating if I hand-feed her sometimes (don’t judge). And then there’s Stu… who is technically a Cat, but I’m still waiting for his DNA test to come back and confirm he's not 40% uncle from the village. He sits on the fridge and watches everyone, judging all.

Our kids have grown up around fur and fur-fights. They've learned everything from compassion to boundary-setting, just by sharing space with these animals. Sometimes, I hear my twins whisper to Raya, “You're a good girl. Mummy’s just tired.” Honestly, I'm trying.

🐾👶🌴About Paws, Kids & Plantain'

This series; Paws, Kids & Plantain, is for education, entertainment and a little bit of uncommon sense. Let me begin by apologising to our perfectionists and “strictly science” folks, but don’t worry, I’ll link you to serious sources at the end of each post, maybe. 

This space is for you who’s ever wondered:

• “Can dogs eat egusi?”

• “Why is my cat always watching me bathe?”

• “What do I feed a pet that just stole my suya?”

I mix up real-life stories, “Did You Know?” sections, and some very rare advices that I usually understand after my dogs react, and hopefully they won't end up dead as a result. That’s the beauty of it. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and most importantly, you’ll stop feeling like you’re the only one winging this whole pet-parent thing. 

So come on! Let's share funny pet stories and learn from each other. 

Stress is off the menu. 

From your favorite Lagos fur mum, 

Nene Ajayi.

Enjoy!

Part 1:  🥣What Should I Feed My Dog? Besides My Sanity. 

Part 2:   🦴 The Basics of Pet Nutrition: What Every Pet Owner Should At Least Know

Part 3:  😎How to Understand Pet Food Labels Like a Pro

Part 4:  🥣 How to Store Pet Food Properly & Avoid War with Ants & Co

Part 5:  🍲 Dry Food vs Wet Food: Which Is Better for Your Pets?

Part 6: 🥩 Feeding Pets Raw Food: Benefits, Risks, and How to Do It Safely 

Part 7:  🍪 Homemade Meals & Treats for Pets: Pros, Cons, and How to Balance Nutrients

Part 8: 🍗 The Role of Protein in Your Pet’s Diet 

Part 9:  🍚 Chinedu, Your Pets Don’t Need That Much Carbs, Do They?

Part 10:  ☠️ How Iyabo Over-Supplemented Her Dog to Death, In the Name of Vitamins & Good Intentions

Part 11: 🐾 Yes, Pets Need Fats – But Only the Right Kind, in the Right Amount

Part 12:  🐕“They Always Look Hungry!”

Part 13:  🔍“Ew, What’s That?!”

Part 14: 🎈"I Never Thought I’d See a Dog Run From Balloons…"

Part 15:  🚽 Potty Training Pets

Part 16:  🍗 Do Dog Breeds Dictate Nutrition?