My REAL first child...

Many of you know that Hector is more than just a dog. He was a band aide on my heart when my world was dark and scary. He is my nap buddy, car buddy, and especially meal time buddy. When I wanted to start completely over again, Hector was with me. When I came back, Hector came with me. His love is simple, pure, unadulterated, and sustaining. As a matter of fact, one of my husband's very earliest positive qualities was the way he took to Hector. Hector is my REAL first child (he's actually a second, as Gustave was here first... But, Hector is the big brother in the current scenario).

I have ALWAYS hated the scene in "Lady and the Tramp" where Lady goes from being the pampered, beautiful Christmas present to the annoying incidental being when Jim Dear and Darling have their first baby. I have watched this scene play out in real life even among some people I know and love: an animal that was integral to the family is suddenly just a nuisance to the new dynamic. I am TERRIFIED that Nathaniel or I would make Hector feel even slightly put out.

I acknowledge that Hector is going to need some new boundaries. He'll have to share his mother and father and the love seat is going to be REALLY crowded with 2 grown adults, a 20 pound dog, and a breastfeeding baby.

However, Hector is a part of our family. When I adopted him, I committed to loving him throughout the span of his life. I am aiming to keep his life as normal as possible. He's already the toast of the town in our little apartment complex, with the newly-ambulating little children taking the quickest steps of their young lives across the courtyard to get to him. He's a little short on patience when they try to ride him like a horsey or pull on his fur, but that's what under the bed is for. I am anticipating that our first child is going to maintain that status, and expect him to be the best big brother on four legs.

I guess I'm going to have to learn the La La Lu lullaby if this is how I really feel, though :)