Ryder & the Fur Kids

One last picture with the dogs before I leave for the hospital...Often people have asked me about introducing the baby to all of the animals and if I'm scared/nervous about it. Then they'll go into stories about cats smothering the babies and dogs thinking the baby is a toy. I usually tell them, not at all and let them know I did my research on how to properly introduce the fur kids to the new baby. Our plan was to try to keep the animals in much of the same routine we have them in now because animals are creatures of habit and they like the familiar. With that being said, I can't wait to start walking the dogs again. I'm quite sure I will go on my first walk with Ryder and the dogs this morning. (I can't wait!)
On Friday, when we brought Ryder home, my folks still had the dogs so it was kind of nice to be able to slowly introduce Ryder to the animals starting with the cats. As you can see, Calypso was the only cat that was interested in Ryder right off the bat. Benny and Scoots ran away at first. Now, they come around like it is nothing.My mom and dad brought the dogs over Saturday afternoon and they were so interested in this little moving thing that smells like a human. Both Cash and Dakota couldn't stop sniffing Ryder. As time went on during the day, we could tell that not only was Dakota interested in Ryder she was genuinely concerned. I can't begin to tell you how many times we've had to tell her to get down off the bed...she's usually a good listener but I'm still struggling with her jumping up if Ryder is on the bed. Some friends came to meet Ryder yesterday. Each time Ryder was handed off to a new person to hold him, Dakota was just inches away making sure the exchange went smoothly. Also, when ever Ryder cries or fusses, Dakota is close by either whining because she can't help or just sitting right beside me. It's amazing how much her mommy instinct has kicked in.

Ryder will def have some good fur friends when he gets old enough to play with them...just like us the animals are already so in love with Ryder.