What is second to a Mother's Love?

A dog's.

I stressed [even prior to the pregnancy] over how the dogs would adjust to a child. Verdict: I stressed for nothing. I didn't worry about Sydney so much (the above picture is how I predicted she would be) but Dixie I was worried. Sydney is much more into the baby than Dixie but Dixie doesn't seem to mind (and I don't mean in a "she tolerates the baby" sort-of-way just frankly doesn't seem to be bothered in the least.

I knew Sydney would like the baby. It was a change and I think Syd was getting bored. She needed a job (after all she is a working dog) and a job she found. Prior to the Apple's arrival during my bath Sydney would guard the door of the bathroom. I took a bath recently during Apple's nap time and noticed Syd wasn't there guarding,but I came to find her guarding the sleeping babe (thus, the above picture - and excuse the mess on the night stand, I wish I could tell you it was just a bad day, but since the baby that is how it always looks). It may be hormones, but it absolutely touches my heart that Sydney loves her as much as her own, like a mother.


And here is Dixie. Dixie will sniff her occasionally, but for the most part doesn't really notice her. It has not affected Dixie's daily routine except the fact that I am home and she loves the extra ear scratches and cuddling time she does with me and the Apple (one thing I read up on when a new child comes into the picture - is that dogs don't need extra attention they just need their routine to stay constant and we have made sure we've done that).