I think my mom is always waiting for me to develop the nurturing and maternal qualities and skills she possesses. Nobody knew I could cook until I lived on my own, even then, my parents may have been disappointed in how these traits manifest. Once, I came home for a visit and offered to make dinner for the family, cooking the meat separately in case of vegetarians — there are no vegetarians in my family.

Walking Beau the Dog today, I stopped at the corner of Second and Franklin Streets to grab to grab a bag from next to the city trash can — I realized I had run out and he is 100% likely to poop on the sidewalk when I don't have a bag handy — I fumbled for a moment with the bags and Beau tugged at the leash, when I turned toward him, he had just extricated himself from his harness and was about to dart into the street. 

I threw myself down on the sidewalk to grab him, startling an older gentleman who asked if I was ok. A bit shaken, I replied that I was fine, that I just had to keep my dog from running into the street. I bruised my palm and scraped my knee, drawing blood. I don't even think there were any cars around. I must have looked mildly insane for dramatically snatching my dog, kneeling briefly on the sidewalk with him in my arms as I scolded, readjusted his harness and composed myself. 

It reminded me of the story my mom told about leaping over a couch to keep me from putting a bobby pin in an electrical outlet when I was a toddler. Only it was my dog, probably in no real danger, just being a little jerk. Amy (Arts & Culture) says it doesn't count as maternal instinct if the recipient is a dog, but I'm still uncertain if I will ever be ready for teenagers, so I say this counts.