Sheepie.. Remember That Guy? Well, He's C's BFF.

Shortly before Carter was born, I felt a twinge of worry thinking about how Sullivan would respond to the new baby. As both a new parent and a dog lover owner {of a dog who is most definitely a beloved part of the family, no less}, I know I shared a common fear, knowing deep down inside that I would be absolutely heartbroken should anything happen to either one of my "babies" should they not be able to coexist peacefully in the home. 

Sure, I read the books. Friends suggested that I swaddle a baby doll and play audio clips of screaming babies so that Sullivan could get used to The Change. Did I rush out and buy a baby doll? No. Did I play YouTube clips of crying babies? Yes. Did Sullivan care? Not one bit. 
So, Carter was born and we brought home "The New Puppy" as we lovingly referred to him when talking to Sullivan. In the beginning, Sullivan was impartial. He'd casually saunter past the baby, attempt a face-lick and keep on moving. He laid at my feet while I nursed C but was never the type to sleep next to the crib or pack and play and never, ever showed any type of paternal, dominating attitude towards the baby. 
When Carter would wake up screaming, Sullivan would immediately come running to either myself or Husband and whimper nonstop until one of us attended to The New Puppy. We like to think it was the "herder" in him.
Fast forward to today. Carter and Sullivan are the best of friends and I can't help but smile and find myself getting really, really excited at the prospect of watching their friendship grow over the years. You  see, I grew up with dogs. There were very few years in my life when we didn't have a dog running around the house. As a matter of fact, I can count on one hand the number of dog-less years I've lived. 
I'm so excited for C to grow up and be able to form that special bond with his pup. The kind of bond that only crazy, mushy dog owners like myself know of.

{don't worry, i promise you he's pre-face lick and not trying to eat C's face}

C and Sheepie spend at least a total of 2 hours a day playing solely with each other. Sheepie runs around the house, stops to nudge/headbutt C so that C will chase him and off they'll go around the house, screaming, laughing and barking. 
C loves to play fetch with Sully and will throw him anything he can get his hands on- from the balls out of his ball pit to his own beloved pacis. One of C's favorite games is to empty Sheepie's toy basket while they play this silly little game of theirs. 
When it's time to move the party to the basement so that Mama can get a little writing done? Sheepie will cry and cry at the gate at the top of the basement stairs and C will whine and whine at the bottom gate until I can't take the whining and crying another second and am forced to let Sheepie down to play. They love each other. They really, really do. 
And the laughs that Sheepie can illicit from Carter? Priceless. Especially when C is crawling on all fours beneath and between Sheepie's legs. I swear, these two are the perfect pair.
Poor Sheepie. I don't quite think he knows what he's gotten himself into with mobile, fearless, daredevil C. But like a good boy should, Sheepie takes the swatting, the "be gentle's," and the incessant "Sheepie-climbing"  all in stride. 

Good boy, Sheepie. Good boy. Happy Tuesday, Loyals!