A Boy and His Dog

We got Dee Dee, our beagle, the same weekend we moved into this house. She has literally been a part of our family since Day One. We were concerned about how she would react to having a new, noisy little person join our family.

When Sam was very little, Dee Dee paid no attention to him. She didn’t look at him or even lift her head when he’d cry. She refused to acknowledge his existence. The most she’d do was step over him instead of trampling him into the floor.

Once Sam started moving around, Dee Dee couldn’t pretend any more. Sam loved crawling after her as she’d try to get away. She really hated being near him and he thought they were best friends. He liked cornering her and then grabbing two little fistfuls of fur to pull himself up. To Dee Dee’s credit, she has always been very gentle with him. She will just mournfully roll her head back and look at one of us, waiting for us to save her.

Sam’s introduction to table foods marked a change in his and Dee Dee’s relationship. I do a few simple signs with Sam – one of them being the sign for “eat.” When I look at Sam questioningly and put my fingers together near my mouth, Dee Dee will sprint up the stairs and stand, panting, next to Sam’s high chair. Should dogs be able to understand sign language?

It’s no wonder, though, that Dee Dee is so interested in Sam’s mealtimes. He loves heaving himself over the side of his chair and letting Dee Dee eat out of his hand. I hate it, but can’t really complain. When Sam is done eating (hah!), I simply take him out of the chair and swipe everything onto the floor. Within seconds, my dining room is clean.

I think I’ve been witnessing the beginning of a beautiful friendship.