Family, Maya, Pregnancy, Zachary

A boy and his dog

We are truly lucky with our dog, Maya, a longhaired mini dachshund. Maya is a small and somewhat possessive dog (never bitey, but she loves her mama), so when I got pregnant, I wondered what she would be like when the baby came. She really took to me even more and became very close to me during my pregnancy, often stopping to lick my belly or lay close to my belly to feel the baby kick. She knew there was a little “puppy” growing in there, and when it came time for him to join our world, she was soooo excited to meet him!

When Zachary was born, Maya stayed at my parents’ house for two weeks while we got used to the whole parenthood thing, and then she came home. She was always extremely careful and gentle around the baby. She only wanted to kiss him. As he got bigger, she tried to play with him, and eventually taught him to push her favorite tennis ball – and then, much to her delight, throw it! They both absolutely love to go out on our back porch area and play fetch (and other games) together.

Now that Zachary is mobile, they play around the house like two puppies. It brings Maya AND Zachary so much joy to play with each other. If I’m in the kitchen and I look into Zachary’s room, I might see them both sitting on the floor, each playing with their respective toys. Other times, I hear happy giggles or dog noises coming from behind me and smile to see them chasing each other around in a circle! Other times they sit quietly on the couch watching tv together, Zachary with his arm across Maya, and her head stuck in position to lick his leg over and over (he doesn’t mind).

He gives her kisses on the head, and she gives him many kisses back. He gives her big, sweet baby hugs, and she gives him a lick on the face.

They are best friends.

Z & Maya

Z & Maya

Z & Maya

I took these images a little over a week ago. We put Maya on her leash and let her sit in the front yard while Zachary played. He came right over to her and sat down in the grass, and she laid right next to him, with the most perfect look of joy on her face. I’m so glad that my dog, my first baby, has accepted and loves my little boy so much. I thank her every single day when I scratch her head and give her an extra treat, just for being wonderful.

Maya

Maya

Maya is turning 7 this year. I wish she would live forever!

16 thoughts on “A boy and his dog

  1. Hi, just saw your message on the wall at MBC/ FFF and came right over. This is so sweet! My kids are older and it reminds me of when my oldest was little. We had a Doberman before she was born and worried at first about how he would get along. I’ll never forget the day I saw this intimidating looking dog laying in the sandbox with her, patiently letting her dump sand all over him with a shovel.
    .-= Motpg´s last blog … Weird Wednesday =-.

  2. what a wonderful story! i love it! i hope that sophie responds the same way when we have kiddos….her personality seems similar to maya’s (she loves her people!). i’m glad they have such a wonderful love between them. to me, there aren’t many things better than the love between a dog and their owner 🙂

  3. Oh my goodness, what an adorable little boy!! And such a sweet doggie. We have a mini doxie we just adore, she is almost 11 and so precious to us all. Like you, I wish they lived longer. I am sure your little boy and his dog will be great pals for years to come!! Wonderful post!

    Following you from MBC.

    Chris
    .-= Chris Janzen´s last blog … A View From The Country =-.

  4. Oh, how I wish my little boy would be able to grow up with a dog! Unfortunately, my husband never grew up around animals, so he doesn’t understand the importance of pets. I am hoping to talk him into a dog in the next coming years so my kids can create memories like this. Really precious pictures! Thanks for sharing them!
    .-= Moriah Sunde´s last blog … Check Them Out – Rayna Jaye Creations =-.

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