Don't Lick the Baby!

Cutie Pie's Uncle brought over his puppies today. Cutie Pie seemed fascinated by the little creatures and put his hands out to touch them. The sweet dachshund puppies also seemed interested in Cutie Pie and enjoyed sniffing him and staring curiously at the drool streaming from his bottom lip to the "My Uncle Loves Me" bib around his neck. The little puppies did not seem excited about Cutie Pie's big dachshund dogs barking and growling at them.

Eight years ago, before Cutie Pie was even a thought in our minds, we got a sweet little dachshund puppy named Oakley. Little Oakley was our baby. We took him everywhere and spoiled him with treats. A few years later, we decided that Oakley needed a friend and we got a one year old dachshund named Minnie. The addition of the new dog was hard on Oakley but eventually he adjusted.

We were very worried about how the dogs, especially Oakley, would take to having a baby in the house. We asked around about how to get the dogs ready for the new baby. Someone suggested I carry a doll around so they will get used to seeing me holding a baby. It sounded like a good idea but not for me. Instead, when Cutie Pie was born, we sent Grandma to the house with Cutie Pie's hat to let the dogs sniff it and get used to his smell before he came home. We were relieved to hear that the dogs loved that hat. They sniffed it and licked it and carried it over to their bed so they could roll on it! We saved what was left of the hat for Cutie Pie's scrapbook so he can see it one day.

When Cutie Pie met his doggies, they were in love with him. I wouldn't be surprised if "Don't lick the baby!" are Cutie Pie's first words. But the novelty of having a baby in the house has worn off for Oakley and Minnie. They look enviously at Cutie Pie's toys. They stare forlornly as we play with Cutie Pie. They've realized that Cutie Pie is not leaving and they are going to have to share us with him. I'm sure when they saw those little puppies walk into the house that they were going to have to share us with them too!

I enjoyed having the little puppies visit our house too. Who can resist a rambunctious, cuddly ball of fur? Cutie Pie watched as I played with the puppies and I noticed the same look on his face that I often see in my dogs. "Hey, Mommy! Why are you playing with them like you play with me?" I quickly turned my attention to my Cutie Pie, just like I always do for my dogs when they get sad and I thought to myself with alarm, "What am I going to do if Cutie Pie becomes a big brother?"