When I lean over to take the baby from my wife, I’m in danger. This wasn’t always the case. But recently, one of our dogs has turned on me. Yep. A normal day now is just an uneasy truce between me and our miniature poodle—with occasional moments of friendliness, but more often, moments of barred teeth and growling.
Hershey is a miniature chocolate poodle. Anyone who thinks poodles are snooty dogs with their tails held high and an air of superiority are sadly mistaken. At least, they are when it comes to Hershey. He’s the most lovable dog I’ve ever had. He’s always incredibly happy to see us. If I sit down on the couch, he’s right beside me with his head on my lap. Each night, when we go to bed, Hershey curls up beside me.
Those things still happen, but Hershey has also taken to snapping and even biting me. I should be angry. But Hershey’s motives, it seems, are pure.
The reason? Shelby. Our daughter has changed the household dynamic.
Hershey actually seemed relatively unaffected when we brought Shelby home from the hospital. That’s not to say he wasn’t interested. In the first week, he would sniff at the baby several times a day, trying to figure out what was up with the funny smelling bundle of blankets.
Then one night, Nicole and I were lying in bed while Shelby was in the pack and play bassinet. Hershey jumped from his typical spot in bed (beside me) and headed elsewhere. I heard him jump again. And Shelby made a gurgle. As it turns out, Hershey decided that there was someone else he’d rather snuggle with to sleep. It wasn’t me. When I crawled out of bed and looked into the pack and play, Hershey was curled beside the baby.
For the record, with the risk of SIDS, I did not allow that situation to continue.
But it did show that Hershey had taken a liking to the family’s newest addition. Little did I know, his affection for Shelby would mean danger—but only for me.
A few days later, Nicole needed me to take Shelby from her. She was on the couch, with Hershey curled up nearby. I leaned down to take the baby and the unexpected happened. Hershey snapped. I didn’t quite believe that he had done it, so I reached for the baby again. He tried to bite me again. I yelled at him, he cowered (because he’s a wimp) and I took the baby.
I won’t be defeated by a 12 lb. dog.
Still. It’s nice to know that in a pinch, Shelby will have someone who will at least make an effort to protect her from perceived danger.
I just wish Hershey would stop perceiving ME as danger.
It’s funny how quickly he has become attached. We left Shelby at the in-laws last week. As Nicole and I arrived home and let the dogs out of the bedroom, Hershey made us smile. He ran around the house, sniffing at the baby car seat, obviously searching for Shelby. He went to the baby swing, the little vibrating chair, back to the car seat, and made another lap of the house. A person is truly a part of the family when they’re missed.
My daughter has a buddy, a canine brother, and even a protector. It’s nice.
But if the little bastard ever successfully bites me, look out. It’s on.
