Open wide the jaws of strife
When my son was born a year ago, my wife and I were concerned about how our eldest dog would react. This wasn't the paranoia of the new parent, but rooted in a knowledge of the dog's attention-seeking temperament.
Joe, a spoilt, 14-year-old fluffy white crossbreed terrier, with some missing teeth, couldn't appear less threatening. But while physical stature limits his capability to wound, it's not for want of trying. He lost two of those teeth during disputes with another of our dogs (now deceased) - one fight about food; the other over the attentions of my wife.
When I met my partner 12 years ago, Joe was her pampered pet. He would bare his teeth (then a full gleaming set) should I venture too close to her. An ideal chaperone in some ways, perhaps. But as the relationship developed, I found his snapping and snarling disconcerting and tiresome.
Then aged two, this dog wasn't too old to learn new tricks, I reckoned. Time was to prove me optimistic. Chastisements and smacks had some effect. But until even a few years ago, Joe sometimes jumped between us on the sofa, if we were snuggled too close for his comfort, or if he felt he was being ignored. Once, he even bit my chin, although he did little harm.
While my wife was pregnant, Joe often nuzzled her stomach, and we wondered how he'd react to the imminent appearance of a defenceless addition to the family - one who would undoubtedly be lavished with attention.
I'd like to report that our worries were unfounded and that Joe welcomed the baby with open paws and hidden jaws. But he didn't.
Joe has had difficulty coping. Our other (completely laid-back) dog quickly adapted, but Joe was constantly at our feet or trying to jump into our laps when either my wife or I held the infant.
When our baby son could sit up, he became fascinated by the dogs. But until recently, we couldn't leave him unattended with them: Joe sometimes growled (although only when on the receiving end of heavy-handed attention) and the other dog insisted on licking the baby's face.
Now, all seems calmer. The dogs understand not to come too close. And when Joe does, he puts up with the baby's awkward patting - happy knowing that, come baby's naptime, he'll again get the attention he craves.
