A new baby can change the dynamic of an entire household, especially when it has a furry companion. Pets may need time to adjust to suddenly sharing the attention they once had to themselves.
Even when a family makes an effort to include them, the transition can still leave them feeling left out. That experience is reflected in a video documenting one dog’s journey as he adjusts to life as a big brother.
Dog’s third month as a big brother captures the highs and lows of welcoming a baby sister
Tommy, a Blue Staffy, was used to being the only child in his family before “Baby A” arrived. Her birth brought a major change to his everyday life. His owners now had to divide their attention between him and the newborn. While they continued involving Tommy in family activities, his owner said the adjustment was not always easy for him.
A video shared by @tommybluestaff offers a look at Tommy’s third month as a big brother. The clips show him gradually becoming more interested in his baby sister and the things she does throughout the day. Onscreen text describes him as “the best big brother,” while the footage captures the two spending more time together.
With “Baby A” becoming more mobile and crying less, Tommy apparently became increasingly invested in her whereabouts. He could be seen checking on her, sniffing her, and staying nearby as she went through her routine. Rather than simply tolerating the new addition to the family, Tommy appeared to be taking an active interest in his sister.
He even seemed to find a way to participate in her playtime. According to his owner, Tommy officially took on the role of “chief toy tester.” In fact, the baby’s kick piano became his favorite toy to investigate.
However, the dog’s growing bond with his human sister came after some moments that showed just how difficult the transition had been. His owner recalled one particular clip in which Tommy stood on the TV cabinet while his dad played with the baby. From his position, Tommy appeared to be watching the interaction as if wondering why that attention was no longer directed at him.
The family knew they could not completely recreate Tommy’s old life, since he was no longer the household’s “only child.” Still, they continued including him and hoped he would eventually become comfortable with the change.
That appears to be exactly what happened. Looking back several months later, Tommy’s owner said she could “happily confirm” that their patience had paid off. The dog who initially struggled with sharing his family had embraced the role of a big brother and found his own place in his little sister’s everyday life.
The post Dog Goes From Feeling Left Out to Fully Embracing Life as a Big Brother appeared first on DogTime.
