Guess who's back?!?!
I know, we haven't discussed Walter in MONTHS. Don't worry, he is still the best and cutest dog in the world. He just didn't really have an eventful summer. Well, besides finding out he is going to be a big brother.
I've been meaning to do this post for awhile, but along with the rest of my life I just haven't had time to talk about it. Anyway, I have a HUGE/MAJOR concern: What is going to happen to Walter when we bring this baby home???
Here is what I have heard will happen..
1. "The dog will become just a dog and the baby will be your child"
2. "He will go into a depression and stop eating"
3. "You will forget to feed him"
4. " You will want to get rid of him within the first week of bringing the baby home. And if it isn't within the first week, definitely within the first month."
5. "He will be mean to the baby."
6. Then, I read about babies being allergic to animals and the family having to find a new home pronto for their pets.
To think that any of the above will happen in our house makes me sick to my stomach and/or start crying. I understand that things might change, but really? To that extent?. I guess what really worries me about all this is that all the people that told me those things loved their dog as much as I did. Walter is my life, my best friend, my pal, my sleeping buddy, the guy I talk to when I get in a fight with my husband. Literally, he is everything to me/us. I have told Hubs and myself over and over again that we are going to have to make a conscience effort to make sure that Walter does not feel like this baby has ruined his life or put him on the back burner. We already decided to do some things now that will make the adjustment easier, and this way not everything changes when the baby comes hom because then he would just blame the baby for his life turning upside down.
Don't get me wrong, I think Walter is going to be a WONDERFUL big brother. I already have visions of him getting up with me in the middle of the night to do a feeding, or hanging out with me while on maternity leave and enjoying the one on one time while the baby naps. When the baby is on the floor playing, I see Walter right there next to them loving every second of it and letting the baby climb all over him. At night we can go on walks as a family of 4 instead of a family of 3. Maybe I'm being naive or really optimistic, but I hope a majority of those things do happen.
If any moms that have been through this situation or if any other pregnant ladies have ideas of things they are going to try, please please pass them on. I want to hear all good and bad experiences so I'm prepared for it all.
4 comments:
Wow! After we e-mailed each other I have been meaning to write you about Wrigley's adjustment to Connor. Every hope that you have with Walter and the baby is exactly how Wrigley is with Connor! Adam took Connor's hat and a few blankets home with him one night from the hospital. He laid them in various spots where Wrigley frequents- the bed, the front door, and down by his food. Within 5 min. of Adam bringing it home, I get a text message with a picture of Wrigley curled up with the blanket! It obviously took some getting used to on Wrigley's part- what the crying sound is, etc. Now? Wrigley will lay on Connor's floor as I feed him, lays by him on the floor when Connor is playing, sits by his bedroom door when he hears Connor stirring on the monitor, and if I wait too long Wrigley comes to get me! We go for walks together in the evening as a family of four and Wrigley still gets his snuggles in with us at night before bed. it is possible! You just need to remember that as much as it is an adjustment for you and your husband to have a baby in the house, it will be for Walter, too!
Walter will be great and he will become a best friend to your baby!!!!!! Thats what I say!!!!
Aw! i think Walter will be just fine with the new baby! I haven't heard of any stories where people have had to get rid of their dogs. I suggest wrapping the baby in a blanket and then bringing that blanket to your home so that Walter will be used to the smell! I'm sure everything will be just fine!
Everyone has to adjust to this big change and everyone will. It's really hard in the beginning but things will work out. Claire LOVES Dexter and Dexter LIKES Claire...we're still working on it but it's getting SO much better. Dexter was my sleeping buddy last night and I kept telling him how much I loved him (my first baby).
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