Wednesday, October 14, 2009

What Will It Be Like With A Baby

We have a dog, Miles Davis Williams- Miles- named after Dan's favorite jazz musician Miles Davis.
Miles is a rescue dog from the Domestic Animal Shelter here in Naples. He has been with us for about five years- The shelter knew nothing about him-he was a stray, or a left behind or a run away. So when we met him they had no information. They didn't even know his real name, he was matted (not that bad), but they did tell us that they thought he could have been a show dog. The shelter thought he was well trained from the way he obeyed commands, the way he walked, groomed himself and how good his teeth were.

Finding the Miles, for us was not a long process. It only took a few weeks. I did have to act fast because Dan said "Yes" to a dog and I had to keep him in 'Dog Mode' and find one fast before he changed his mind. To be honest, when I first saw Miles (or as the shelter had named him for his seven day stay there Pom Pom)-I was not all that sure...Then it happened. Dan was the one who inquired about him, they opened up the cage he was in, put a leash around his neck and handed the leash to Dan and the two of then walked down to the 'Play Cage'- I walked behind them and saw my husband look down at this little dog and the dog look up at my husband.
Instantly me heart opened up. We played a little bit with the dog. Just as much as the dog would let us and asked the ladies from the shelter a few questions. They were not sure if he was a full breed 'Large Pomeranian' or a 'Pom-Mix' either way it did not matter to us, a mutt for all we care would be fine, he was fitting nicely into our lives at that moment. They also told us we could change his name since he only knew the name Pom-Pom for such a short time..I saw the glimmer in Dan's eyes...He looked at me and smiles...."Miles...Miles Davis Williams. What do you think?"
I smiled. In reality I choked back tears...but until now I have never fessed up to that emotion.
It was all a bit overwhelming- I mean to see my husband who never liked to open himself up to anyone show so much instantaneous love to this little black furry dog. Dan then looked Miles square in the eyes and asked him a simple question...."Wadda ya think little fella, do you wanna come home with us?" and right there the little black furry mutt kissed Dan's face. I melted. Stood up and said..."Thats it we'll take him."

If you ever knew Dan, and IF you ever would think for a moment that he was a 'Dog Guy' (which he never was) you may think....oh, lab or retriever...a large dog, but since there is a height restriction in our complex and all the other dogs in the complex are small, Dan was hook line and sinker for this little 'Large Pom'. Perfection he found in his new friend. Our newest family member.. I could not believe it...the entire experience was perfect.

I know I have blogged about Miles before..but things are changing in our family and they will change for Miles too. Since we are having a baby in March, I wonder how Miles will adjust to a little person sharing his attention. Miles has been our only family member for five years and he is spoiled, and wonderful. He is all about unconditional love and he just wants the same love back. Miles, I should say has never been a problem for us-if there has been a problem it's because we as humans made the wrong choices and we did not know any better. Miles being the obedient dog, let us figure them out on our own instead of punishing us. He has never been a burden or held us back from all that much. If he has, it's because we are selfish and just want his company. He is the best "excuse" we could have and most times it's just the truth.

I can say that I really am not all that worried about integrating Mile sand the baby. Miles is very obedient. It's really just us who will Have to balance a dog and a baby. I am sure we will make mistakes but we will figure it out.
We will not get rid of our dog because he barks to much and wakes the baby or he is dis- obedient...we don't get rid of a child because they make to much noise or they don't follow the house rules do we? He will not get pushed aside either. Our dog is so much a part of our lives and he will be as long as we show him what he wants...treat and love...how easy is that?

I have a feeling it will be about teaching our baby as it grows to love and respect Miles, as I am sure Miles will do the same thing. Miles perhaps will take to our new addition very well. I can see him in the future sleeping under the baby's crib. He will choose this place in his job as the big brother of protecting the baby. He sleeps at the foot of our bed to protect us.
Having Miles in our lives for the past five years has been the best "responsibility" and addition to our marriage. We laugh a lot more and love a lot more because of him.

Can you imagine what it will be like with a baby?
(this is a photo of Miles waiting for Dan to come home.)

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