There's no greater joy for parents than watching their children grow up into good human beings Image Credit: Supplied picture
A recent snippet in the news about a celebrity seeking professional help to introduce a dog to a child set the wheels of memory turning.
A quarter century ago, there was this happy couple that set out on their journey of life together. They didn’t think much about the future, but just went with the flow. It worked well for them for some years — until they took to planning a family.
They argued interminably about the adjustments they would have to make in their free and easy lifestyle and who should give up what — until at last the deed was done. And late one evening, the first ‘child’, a furry bundle of joy, arrived.
They spent the night awake in excitement and both of them were too exhausted to think about work the next day. They crooned over the little one, they tried everything possible to make her feel safe and secure; obviously both hearts now beat for their quadruped child.
She flourished and grew fast and like any new parents, their lives revolved around her. Friends and acquaintances found their devotion amusing. “You’re taking it to extremes — she’s a dog,” was often heard, but neither paid attention. They were going to rear her their way.
She grew faster than they had thought possible and every move she made earned their approval. When they had to train her, they went by the book and were unfailingly patient and loving — and so was she.
Life was perfect. Their cup was full.
Then something happened that should have made their joy brim over. Another newcomer was expected in their midst. But suddenly doubts assailed them. What if their ‘firstborn’ did not take easily to the second? What if she attacked the helpless baby in a fit of jealousy? How could they explain to her that she was still precious when they would no longer be ever-available to play ball with her?
There were no dog whisperers or similar professionals available to guide them, so they grilled any and every ‘family’ person who visited — and amazingly, most of them took the interrogations well, getting into the spirit of the whole thing. Many had pets and children, some had acquired a dog before a child, but none had allowed a German shepherd, however endearing, to take over their hearts and their lives to the exclusion of all else.
There were therefore months of uncertainty and many experiments in getting her accustomed to less attention and affection, but there was always some trepidation that she would not welcome the child when it arrived.
But amazingly, from the first moment the infant entered his four-legged ‘sister’s’ life, he was the focus of her attention and affection. If he was carried into the house, she went in. If he was carried out, she went out. If he was taken for a bath, she followed, her face beside the tub. It didn’t matter that his little feet and hands landed on her delicate nose as he wriggled and kicked and struggled. Her love was unfailing and unstinting.
The parents’ fear that she would attack the baby boy seemed totally unfounded. He was safe with her.
However, as he grew, they discovered that she was not safe with him! Once he began to move, she was his target no matter where she tried to hide. He would find her and pull her ears or squeeze her neck or help himself to her food. He would seat himself on her back, he would push her around, he would insist that there could be no affectionate pat for her without double the dose for him ...
Yes, there were major adjustment issues in that household — just not the way the parents had anticipated!
Cheryl Rao is a journalist based in India.
