Sayle’s furry BFF-Dealing With Pets and Infants together
Sayle is my first child, but not my first baby. My first baby is a miniature pinscher named Foster and my second baby is also a min pin named Cardi.
I got Foster, the summer after I graduated from college and he was such a “terror puppy” the vet suggested we get him a friend. Enter Cardi. They had us all to themselves for the past 8 years. I was worried about how they were going to act when we brought the baby home, both of them were so spoiled I knew the homecoming was not going to be without incident.
When we brought Sayle home both dogs were extremely curious. We set Sayle down in his carrier and allowed the dogs to have a look and sniff him. Cardi was not impressed and went on about her business, but Foster took on a new role in the household that day-from terror dog to baby-body-guard dog.
If Sayle was in his chair, Foster was next to him. If Sayle was being held by someone, Foster was right there supervising. If Sayle started fussing or crying, Foster would pace and bark softly, and if Sayle was crying while you were changing his diaper on the changing table, Foster would flat out have a fit until Sayle stopped crying and Foster could see he was “safe.”
Cardi was not a fan of Sayle’s. She stayed away from him and acted as a jealous sibling. One morning Sayle was lying in the middle of the bed, Foster by his side and Cardi jumped on the bed. Cardi went to sniff Sayle and Foster got between her and the baby backing her off and eventually off the bed. Apparently Foster did not trust Cardi around “his baby.” To this day, Cardi does not come close to Sayle; she acts as if he does not exist.
Now that Sayle is a bit older he is able to grab ears and fur, Foster tolerates the “baby affection.” Foster continues to supervise Sayle’s activities, giving him a head nuzzle and a lick if Sayle is on the floor and sharing his chewed up toys with Sayle.
Sayle loves to watch the dogs and touch Foster. He often erupts into huge belly laughs when he sees Foster. The only problem we have had is Foster has an issue with the difference between his toys and Sayle’s toys. I believe Foster thinks that since he shares his toys, he should be able to play with Sayle’s toys.
A Baby Einstein duck has been the only casualty we’ve had thus far and I’m sure Sayle doesn’t mind. Ultimately, I believe Foster is kissing up now so he can claim his space at the bottom of the high chair!
If you have pets, how did they do with the new baby?
Beau loves my mom’s dog so much! We are going to get a dog eventually. For now, we just enjoy the belly laughs that happen every time Beau looks at Grandma’s dog!
My dogs were my first babies as well and I too was worried how they would react to a new baby in the house…I had heard that border collies nip and herd little ones and my first dog is super jealous and protective of me, so I was more than a little cautious. Luckily I had nothing to worry about…both dogs are a little attention deprived but are handling it well. They lay at my feet when I nurse or play with my son, and they love to go on walks with him in the stroller and them on either side.
I grew up with cats and dogs and LOVED them! I was so pleased that Foster took on the roll of baby-guard-dog in the house rather than being a pain. I wouldn’t have ever considered finding my original babies a new home, it would have just been more stressful for me. Cardi did take the new baby pretty hard, one morning I caught her chewing my outside rocking chair and she has never chewed anything in her life. I guess she was just expressing her displeasure in the new addition, regardless she got over it.
Perhaps a future vet in the family?
Sayle looks for the dogs and when they walk in the room he zooms in on Foster. Hopefully by growing up with pets in the home he will have a great love for animals just like his mom!
[...] They are Miniature Pinchers that think they’re Pittbulls. Foster immediately took on the role of baby guard dog, while Cardi hated Sayle (read either link to hear about Foster’s BFF relationship with Sayle [...]