Monday, August 23, 2010

Sheepie Loves Baby..

I won't lie. It hasn't been easy splitting my attention between this precious brand new baby of ours and our first "baby," Sullivan. It breaks my heart a little bit to think that he could, even if only for a minute, feel neglected by us. But I can also see how it's possible. Both Hubs and I try to love all over Sheepie the minute we have the chance. It's true. I would (and have) sacrificed the first 15 minutes of glorious, peaceful, uninterrupted sleep to spend some time with the "big brother." He deserves it because he's been such a good boy around his new baby brother.


image courtesy of melissamanzione.net


As for preparing him, we lackadaisically followed what we had read in books. We thought about carrying a baby doll around the house but that never came to fruition. Hubs brought home Carter's newborn hat and blankie from the hospital and let Sullivan acclimate himself to the smell. And that was that. 

We brought Carter home and it's been love at first sight. Sheepie adores the new baby and never misses a moment to lick his bare feets while he's having his diaper changed or nuzzle up to the back of his head while the baby is nursing. 

Granted, we have yet to lay Carter on the floor, bringing him down to Sullivan's level, but when the time is right, I have no doubt that Sheepie will pass that test with flying colors. 

While nursing Carter in the glider, Sullivan plants himself across my feet and lays with us until mealtime is over. The minute Carter begins to stir in his bassinet or pack and play, Sullivan is the first one to run over to him and make sure he's ok.  

We often lovingly refer to Carter has "the new puppy," and when we do, Sullivan's ears immediately perk up and we know he understands who we're talking about.

I will admit, however, that we have, on more than one occasion, forgotten to feed Sheepie his breakfast until a few hours later. But the truth is, he loves us still the same. He grins and bears it and I think he understands how... err.. preoccupied we are.

I can only hope that the extra scoop of vanilla ice cream that he received on his 2nd birthday made up for our absence and reinforced how much we love our sheepdog.

22 comments :

  1. dogs amaze me---seriously. I am so thrilled your big brother is doing so well :) Mac astounded us, too! He is GREAT when she is on the floor too (which she does hang out on a blanket on the floor or her playmat often). He is really great. Mostly, he will sneak a kiss here or there. But nothing crazy. He is so sweet and always makes sure she is okay. I have to say--these dogs are awesome. They can never, ever, ever leave us. I wonder if they make a shot to make them eternal-living pups?

    ps: Love that photo! is there more?!?!

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  2. This is great news!! I hope our pup is as good as Sheepie.

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  3. Sheepie is absolutely adorable and so awesome that he is adapting to baby so well... I have a feeling mine won't be as easy!

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  4. Awww, such a great picture!! When my husband & I first started talking about babies, I couldn't figure out why he was so anti-baby! It wasn't until I finally got it out of him that he was worried we'd have to give away our furry bundle of joy if we have a baby. Silly husbands, right?

    PS. Sullivan's quite a big pup - have you ever had problems with him getting things off the counters when you aren't around?

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  5. This is too precious. Our furry son is only a little over a year old and QUITE a puppy still, so it will be fun and nervewrecking watching how he reacts! But he is so sweet and protective, we'll see what happens!

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  6. Thanks for posting this :) It actually kind of brought tears to my eyes and got my thinking about how the attention is going to shift when our baby comes. It's hard to imagine now that the pup will become #2. I can only hope things go as well for us as it did for you.

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  7. This post totally makes me smile ;O) I can only hope our 1st baby is as good as sheepie when we bring LO home!

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  8. Wrigley did awesome as well when we brought Connor home. Adam brought the blankets and hat home and laid them in Wrigley's most occupied spots. I got a pic message five minutes later of Wrigley cuddling up with the blanket on the bed. Melted my heart and knew we would be ok. He lays on the floor while I am nursing and will always come to me when he hears Connor stirring on the monitor. If anyone new comes to the house, he will plant his large body between Connor and the newbie as a protector. Too cute!

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  9. So cute! I love the pic too! I'm sure he is doing great! :) People make a much bigger deal about it than it should be. I'm the same way with my kitties that you are with your sweet sheepie...and truth be told I do get a bit teary eyed when I think about the fact that they will feel left out here and there. They've been our babies for so long. But like you, I have been trying to let them acclimate slowly...letting them "test" out the babies things and they will be "big brother and sister" lol. I don't forsee any issues, and if there are we'll do our best to work through them as a family. I hated when people would ask me "what about the cats" when they found out I was preggo...I was like "what about the cats?!" I had animals my whole life, cats, dogs, turtles....we never once had issues. :0)

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  10. Our two dogs have been amazing big brothers as well!! We didn't really do much prepping either and when my MIL brought home his newborn hats to sniff, Moose was more interested in eating them than anything else!

    PS I gave the moby wrap another try after our first attempt was a giant Fail! Glad I did..Jamie is LOVING it!! Now if only I could figure out how to make it a bit tighter so he stopped sliding down....

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  11. How sweet! I love the picture, and I am so glad Sheepie and Carter and getting along. They are going to be best friends soon! :)

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  12. Awe that's awesome that he is transitioning so well. Our girls are doing well with the babe too. We did the same thing and brought home blankets to each dog. Not sure if it helped but they both seem to love their new sister so whatev, it worked as far as I'm concerned

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  13. .... i love the idea of taking home the onesie and hat to acclimate the pooch to the smell... we fully intend on doing that with Peyton. Glad to know all is well in your household too. :)

    xo

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  14. I love that you call Carter "the new puppy" - I may need to borrow that! I hope ours are as good as Sheepie...what is his real name by the way? One of ours is super possessive so it will be interesting!

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  15. That's so sweet...I need a Sheepie...I'm thinking my chihuahua will not be so well behaved...love that photo!

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  16. Sheepie will be a great big brother!! lovelovelove to them all and cant wait for the pics!!

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  17. I have SUCH a long while, but I cant wait to see how our puggy reacts around a baby... dogs are such funny things.... haha xxooo

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  18. So sweet!! My lil' pug loves babies. Like, crawls into strollers and tries to jump into pack 'n plays kinda loves babies. When it is our turn, I know she will be thrilled to have a new warm little body to love on. Just as long as I can keep her from smothering our newborn, haha!

    I'm glad Sheepie is doing well with the adjustment!

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  19. This post made my day. I always hate when people have babies and the dogs are shoved outside, forgotten about and neglected in general. Derek and I have laughed that when we start a family Reggie will be the one thats all about the baby and wanting to be by their side constantly or at least very aware of whats happening. You gave me hope today =) So glad sheepie is a good big brother!

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