Ok. So, here's the deal. There is a specific issue that I have neglected to mention in each of my previous posts, because in both cases I decided it would be better to give this particular issue its own post. But, I guess it's time. So, here it is. It's the post about the Issue:
That's right. The issue is a dog, or more specifically our dog, Rory. She's a six-year-old miniature pinscher, and she's been with us since before we got married. She was our baby before our baby, and anyone who has met her knows that she is an absolute piece of work. Don't get me wrong, she's very sweet and has her moments of being low-key, calm and cuddly. However, more often than not, she is a spaz. I'm talking crazy, and crazy for her is like crazy to the tenth power. It doesn't help matters that she's small and extremely athletic, which causes all of her movements to be at warp speed. The combination results in an unpredictable, lightning-quick ball of chaos.
Besides her hyperactivity, Rory also has a bit of a jealousy issue. The few times that we have dog-sat for friends or family, it has not been an enjoyable time for her. When we pay any attention to the other dog, she clearly feels threatened. She will immediately try to weasel her way between us and the other dog and establish her territory. At times, she has even snapped or clawed at the other dog. Oh, and the frustration reaches a whole new level when Jenny shows affection to another dog. This is not even remotely acceptable in Rory's world. So, as you can imagine, we had some concerns about bringing baby Grayson into what Rory deems to be her territory.
We weren't exactly sure how to handle the situation. Jenny hoped for the best, and I feared for the worst. What would we do if Rory was hostile to the baby? Jenny assured me it wouldn't be an issue, but I wasn't so sure. Before Grayson was born, Jenny got online and researched ways to handle the situation. She found one recommendation that said to take a blanket to the hospital that could ultimately be given to the dog. It suggested swaddling the baby in the blanket for a few hours while still at the hospital, and then to take the blanket and give it to the dog before you bring the baby home. This supposedly will allow the dog to familiarize itself with the new smell of the baby and help in the dog's adjustment process. Seeing as Rory loves her some blankets, we decided that this method was as good as any.
So, we tried it, and . . .
So far so good. Rory has not displayed any signs of jealousy, at least not yet. She has been very sweet to Grayson, and has managed with her warp-speed movements to steal a few kisses from time to time. It also seems as if she wants to protect him. A few days after we arrived home from the hospital, she growled at a visiting family member when they started to pick him up. That seems to indicate she has some desire to help guard and protect the boy, right? I'd like to think so.
The few times that we've left the house with Grayson, Rory is exceptionally eager when we get home to check and see if we brought him back with us. Jenny thinks it's super sweet. Although, I have to say I'm suspicious that it's only because Rory is hoping we left him behind, and now she can go back to the good ole days of having our full and undivided attention. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.
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