We all know that our dogs and cats can be like our babies. Mine certainly is my baby ! I have a 9 year old German Shepherd that I raised from a puppy. He is actually my dad’s dog that he bought from my uncle, who once bred German Shepherds for his local police department. I lived with my parents at the time my dad purchased him and brought him into the home.
Back then, he was a chubby 9-pound puppy full of fluff. I immediately took to him, and we became inseparable. I took him everywhere I went when the weather permitted. Being a single woman with no kids, I loved and spoiled him like he was my child. My dad jokes that I “took” his dog, and he’s right…I did.
When I moved into my own home, my dad wasn’t prepared to let Lenox live with me full-time. My parents were attached to him, too. We compromised and decided to share custody, lol. So, Lenox goes back and forth between my house and my parents’ house. It was a transition for him at first, but he’s become accustomed to it. Now he has two homes, and he loves it.
My current concern is that I am about to bring children into my home, and I have no idea how that is going to affect him. Part of me is hoping that he will sense their need for love and offer them the same protection he offers me. Another part of me is concerned that his territorial nature will cause him to see the children as threats taking his spot.
Although he’s my big baby, Lenox is no doubt a huge and powerful dog. Because I do not know with certainty how he will react to small children living in his space, I have decided to leave him in the care of my parents full-time once my children are placed with me.
Who knows? He could be great with them, but I think that’s a relationship that should be introduced slowly over time should he and the children share an eagerness to meet each other. That’s what I’m hoping for, but I’m definitely treading with caution and keeping them separate in the beginning. If my children express no interest in getting to know him, I will have to accept that that’s a relationship that will never be. And, I’ll have to be okay with that.
It saddens me knowing that I may not be able to spend as much time with my beloved pup at first, but I realize that I have an additional calling to answer. Part of that calling is ensuring the safety and well-being of the vulnerable children in my care. Lenox is super close to my parents, particularly my mother, so he’s in excellent hands. He’s only 40 minutes away, so I’ll visit him often. In the meantime, all I can do is hope and pray that everything will work itself out.
I know that he’s just a dog, but he’s part of my family. It matters to me how he’s affected by the additions to our family as I’m sure you’re concerned about how your adoption with affect your fur kids. My prayer is that it will affect him for the better. He’s playful and energetic. Hopefully, those traits will lend well to children who could benefit from the love, nurturance, and healthy interaction provided by a dog. I’ll post more about this once my kids’ placement occurs !
If you’re adopting with pets, leave me a comment below on how you’re going to adjust once your children arrive. How are you going to deal with your children’s fears or allergies of your pets ? Ideally, our children and pets can live harmoniously under one roof, but that isn’t always the case for some. Let’s discuss… Give me your thoughts below !
Your Fellow Fur Mom,
Banessa