Our Baby and Furbaby

One thing McHunny and I were worried about throughout our pregnancy was how our furbaby Seamus was going to handle the new baby. We adopted Seamus over a year ago and he is spoiled rotten. He basically runs the house...he is allowed on the couches and bed but he no longer sleeps with us. We know he was abused by his previous owners but we are not sure to what extent. Our fear was that he would be very jealous of the baby and try to hurt her. Well he has surprised us and loves Kinslee, Seamus is so interested in her and wants to protect her. Any time Kinslee cries he gets up and checks on her, he always wants to be by her and feels the need to just stare at her. We are beyond happy that he is adjusting so well.

If any of you are about to have a baby and have a dog here is what we did to get Seamus ready for the baby.

- we allowed Seamus in the baby's room while we would work in there so he could see what was going on.
- About 5 weeks before Kinslee was due we put the bassinet in our room so he could get use to it being in there.
- About 4 weeks before she was due we put the car seat in the car since Seamus goes in the car often.
- We would play youtube videos of a newborn crying as often as possible.
- I would allow him to lay on my belly...not sure if that did anything for him but I think it did.
- The day she was born McHunny brought home the blanket she was wrapped in so Seamus could get use to Kinslee's scent. My mom said he slept with the blanket.
- Once we came home from the hospital I went in the house 1st and gave Seamus about 5 minutes of one on one attention. Then McHunny brought Kinslee in and we left her in the car seat on the floor, we both sat on the floor next to Kinslee and allowed Seamus to smell her while we praised him. Once Seamus was introduced we gave him a new toy just to show positive reinforcement.