The Canine Nanny

Mine is that house where little kids congregate, eat lots of food and make lots of noise. Sometimes it gets chaotic. But... at least I have an 'assistant'. Saturday was wild in my house with neighborhood children playing indoors due to the heat. One little boy was a bit hyper and I walked into the living room to see him forcefully and recklessly wielding a plastic sword in a room filled with children, furniture and expensive electronics. Chuck, one of our dogs, the one who follows me like a shadow, entered the living room with me just as I saw the little boy barely miss both another child and my television with the toy sword. I know my voice tone must have been one of alarm. I know because of Chuck's response. I said, "No, no! Put that down. It's not safe to do that in here." The boy seemed not to hear me and continued to wield the toy sword. But only for a moment. Chuck leaped up and neatly grabbed the end of it in his mouth, far from the child's hand. Then he brought it to me and laid it at my feet like a gift (he's a retriever - it's what he does :-). Then... he went to the boy, as if he knew he might have surprised him, or even startled him. He went to the boy and gave him sweet doggie kisses, licking his hands and then finally his face when the boy bent down to pet him (my dogs LOVE children). He stayed with the boy for the rest of the day and gave him lots of love. He was a calming and loving influence for that child. Chuck is such a good boy. And so very smart. I love him. :-) His instincts and his love for most humans (especially children) are amazing.

p.s. To those who have sent me emails -- I am not ignoring you, I am just slammed with The Busy and that is really, really hard for me sometimes (like now). I'm trying very hard, but it will probably be at least a few days before I have the space to respond. I promise I will respond as soon as possible.