Our Newborn Bailey

A few weeks ago, we welcomed the newest member to our family: a 6-month-old golden retriever named Bailey. When our nearly 14-year-old golden, Brinkley, passed away a few months before that, we wondered when or even if we’d get another dog. I am an animal lover, but I do admit that not having to tell the kids to watch their step as they played in the backyard was kind of nice. Yet, in typical fashion, it took just a short time before I began craving the companionship of yet another four-legged animal.

As we began our search, family, friends and even pet adoption agencies asked if we really wanted to get a dog when we have two little kids and another on the way. Both my husband and I grew up with animals, him more so since his dad has spent years training animals of different varieties. We explained that, yes, we felt we knew what we were doing. If we got a pup now, we could have her somewhat trained before the baby’s arrival. Plus, what’s a little more chaos in a family with 2.5 kids already?

And so, we located a family in Goshen who was seeking a home for their golden pup. We met Bailey (or Bubbles, as she was previously known). Her disposition impressed us and soon we were bringing her home. What’s interesting is how much she has been preparing us for life with a baby. It has been three years since we’ve had a newborn and our selective memory has attempted to block out certain details. Thanks to Bailey, I am once again reminded of the work and care that will be required of us in a few months. Here are just a few ways she is helping to prepare us:

Late-night wakings. The second night she barked nearly the entire night. Thankfully she didn’t require any diaper changes, but I was glad that she quickly caught on to the sleep routine after that one night. Hopefully she can teach the baby to do likewise.

Clean-ups. Being only kennel trained and not house broken, we’ve gone through our fair share of carpet cleaner in the last few weeks. Our version of diaper duty is paper towels and Resolve cleaner.

Dog proofing. This dog likes to put everything in her mouth—toys, paper, socks, mulch. The good news is that you can typically retrieve it before she eats it, except for when it comes to the mulch (makes you wonder what her food tastes like).

Safety gates. Our ability to walk freely between rooms is once again restricted as we use baby gates to sanction the dog into a designated area until the clean ups become a thing of the past.

Constant companionship. One of the biggest surprises to me when Jonas was born was how much he wanted to be held and cuddled. I had heard that babies slept a lot and had this misconception that he’d rest peacefully in his crib or bassinet as I went on with my day. Instead, I wore him in slings and wraps a lot (even at the computer), and toted him along wherever I went. No, I don’t have a Doggie Bjorn for Bailey, but she is my shadow, regardless of whether I’m running downstairs to grab dinner out of the freezer or sitting at my desk typing away. And, yes, she even likes to accompany me on bathroom breaks, reminding me that moments of solitude are about to be few and far between.